Ozan Kabak has been linked with a move to Leicester City (Getty Images)
According to the Daily Mail, Crystal Palace have joined the race for in-demand FC Schalke defender Ozan Kabak in the January transfer window.
Premier League rivals Man United and Leicester City have been running the rule over the highly-rated centre-back. Reigning champions Liverpool are also understood to be interested in a deal for the Turkish international, given the club’s ongoing injury crisis at the back. (h/t Daily Mail)
However, as per the report, Liverpool are ready to shift their attention to other centre-back targets in the winter market. That has opened the door for other potential suitors, including Crystal Palace, to go all out in their pursuit of the former Galatasaray man.
A youth exponent of Galatasary, Kabak made his first-team debut in the Turkish Super Lig during the 2017-18 campaign. He shot to prominence with a string of impressive displays in the group stages of the Champions League in the following season before eventually moving to Germany with Stuttgart in January 2019.
Kabak made an instant impact in the Bundesliga, scoring thrice in 15 league appearances towards the back end of last season. He switched boats to join Schalke this past summer and has continued to deliver on his potential, starting 9 times in the Bundesliga so far this season. However, with the club currently locked in a relegation dogfight, the defender’s future remains up in the air.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace are currently overloaded in the centre-back department. But with question marks over the futures of so many players, the Eagles should consider reshaping their options at the heart of the defence. Mamadou Sakho (30), Scott Dann (33), Gary Cahill (35), Martin Kelly (30) and Joel Ward (31) are all out of contract next summer.
James Tomkins has also been linked with a reunion with Sam Allardyce at West Brom after struggling to break into Roy Hodgson’s plans at Selhurst Park this term. Hence, with so many ageing legs and out-of-contract players, Palace definitely need to weigh up some younger alternatives with an eye on the future.
Putting things into perspective, Ozan Kabak ticks plenty of boxes as an excellent long-term investment for Crystal Palace. The 20-year-old has already proven his quality in Germany, as well as in the Champions League, whilst also establishing himself as a regular starter for Turkey at the senior international level.
Ozan Kabak already boasts an impressive CV for a defender aged just 20 and still has plenty of room for development. With considerable top-level experience under his belt, the Turk certainly looks ready to test his credentials in the Premier League.
Crystal Palace should, therefore, take things by the scruff of the neck and make an official approach for the centre-back this month.
Things might not be so straightforward for Palace, however. Schalke’s £25m asking price for the starlet remains a big stumbling block while the Eagles are also expected to face stiff competition from several other elite clubs in their pursuit of the player.
Kabak, though, would offer real value for money as a good long-term signing and Palace winning the race for him would surely pay off handsomely in the coming seasons.