Schalke defender Ozan Kabak is demanding a wage of £80k a week in order to stay in the Premier League. The wage demand is so high that clubs across England are not ready to secure the young centre-back.
Ozan Kabak spent the second half of the season at Liverpool on loan. However, the Reds have decided not to make his move to the Premier League permanent.
Kabak could yet return to Premier League, with Leicester City interested in securing his signature. But with the latest wage demands, a move for the Turkish defender could become difficult.
LIVERPOOL LOOKING ELSEWHERE
Kabak made his loan move from Schalke to Liverpool in the winter transfer window. The move happened late into the transfer window as Liverpool was struggling with an injury crisis at the back. Since the move Kabak had made 13 appearances for the Reds, playing 9 matches in Premier League and 4 in the Champions League.
Liverpool had the option to make his loan move permanent. Schalke was ready to sell Kabak for as little as £18 million this summer.
However, the Reds decided not to take the offer and instead have secured a deal for Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig. The initial deal is made between both the club and the player and Konate will be unveiled as a Liverpool player in the coming days. With Virgil Van Dijk, Joe Gomez, and Joel Matip all set to return from injury next season, it was easier to make a decision regarding Kabak.
KABAK TO MAKE PREMIER LEAGUE RETURN
As for Kabak, he will return to Schalke who were relegated from the Bundesliga. Schalke will try to sell him this summer to reduce their financial fallout after relegation.
Meanwhile, Kabak is interested to continue in the Premier League. Apart from Leicester City, Newcastle United are also interested in signing the centre-back. But, the £80,000 a week wage demand has become the major roadblock.
Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig is also interested in securing the Turkish internationals signature. The centre-back pair of Konate and Upamecano is leaving the club this summer. Hence signing a replacement is at top of their priority. With the experience of playing in the Bundesliga, Kabak is considered a top target.
With multiple clubs interested in the 21-year-old centre-back, it won’t be long before he moves away from Schalke. He could secure a move back to Premier League if he is ready to lower his wages. As Kabak will go into the Euro 2020 to play for his country Turkey, he will also have to make a decision regarding his future.
