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Report:
Liverpool prepare to return Ozan Kabak to sender, Konaté deal draws nearer

By Peter Weis   @PeterVicey

Britain's Daily Mail reports that FC Liverpool have decided not to exercise their purchase option for FC Schalke defender Ozan Kabak.

The move would seem to suggest that the Reds wish to conclude a transfer for Ibrahima Konaté instead, though an official deal is still pending. 
Ozan Kabak.
Ozan Kabak.Photo: Jeollo/VfB-exklusiv.de/CC-by-SA 3.0
After 13 starts in both the EPL and UEFA Champions' League, it does not appear as if the Liverpool front office feel that 21-year-old central defender Ozan Kabak is worth a reported €20-25 million purchase clause.


Kabak's eventual bow-out to injury may have some influence on the decision, but several British media sources conjecture that the Merseyside club wishes to marshal what financial reserves it has to complete a deal for Leipzig's Ibrahima Konaté. This would make sense as the club would not wish to spend upwards of €60 million on two central defenders.

Regarding the Konaté deal, no contradictory evidence has emerged to refute a report that Konaté has agreed to personal terms with Liverpool. The Frenchman himself has stuck to his line about honoring his contract on his social media account. The Athletic reports that Konaté's buyout clause hovers around €40 million.

Kabak's future in an S04 jersey appears in serious doubt as the Königsblauen will surely wish to raise some much-needed cash by putting him back on the market.


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