Ozan Kabak was available for just £8.5 million but Liverpool turned down the chance to sign him
Kabak #Kabak
Kabak proved he was up to the test last season, so it could be a gamble from Liverpool to pass up on the oppurunity to sign him.
Liverpool had a well documented defensive injury crisis last season with Virgil vDijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip all being ruled out for either the whole season or a large majority of it.
Then in January on deadline day Ozan Kabak was signed on a loan deal with an option to buy at the conclusion of the loan.
Kabak took a couple of games to get going but then was a consistent starter for the second half of the season until he then himself got injured.
He added stability in the backline playing 13 times and he made a solid partnership with Nathaniel Phillips.
Ignoring the mistake against Leicester City which was arguably much more Alisson’s fault Kabak was a shrewd addition and grew game by game impressing Jurgen Klopp and the fans watching from home.
So, it was a surprise that Liverpool passed up on the option to buy Kabak as soon as his loan ended.
However, the assumption was that Michael Edwards believed that he could get Kabak for a much cheaper price and then the deal would be confirmed.
Ibrahima Konate was signed at the start of the transfer window but after what had happened last season Kabak still seemed like a sensible signing, especially considering Joe Gomez may be utilised at right-back.
It has since been revealed that Ozan Kabak, 21, could have been signed for a price even cheaper than what everyone imagined.
Neil Jones, Liverpool’s correspondent for Goal, broke the news that Liverpool were indeed offered the chance to sign Kabak for just £8.5 million due to Schalke in desperate need of some funds.
Liverpool turned down the opportunity to bring him back to Anfield obviously deciding that the potential he does have is not enough to warrant spending money on him even though it would not break the bank.
Kabak would have been fighting for fifth spot in the pecking order of centre backs with Ben Davies and Nat Phillips so it might not have been the best move for his career.
Another reason why Liverpool may not have moved for him is due to the homegrown quota as Nat Philips and Ben Davies do help out with that so it is the logical move to not bring him back.
It is a real shame as he looked like he had settled well plus he also had an absolute belter of a song that would have been brilliant booming at a full house Anfield.
Leicester City have shown a strong interest so it is likely that he will be back in the Premier League.
All Liverpool fans will wish him all the best in his long career that he has ahead of him.