Liverpool are reportedly trying to complete deals for two central defenders on transfer deadline day with the club desperately in need of bolstering their ranks.
What's the word?
The Reds have already agreed a deal to sign Preston defender Ben Davies on deadline day but they are seemingly attempting to wrap up one more transfer.
Numerous defenders have been linked including Marseille's Duje Caleta-Car and Arsenal's Shkodran Mustafi.
However, a new player has now emerged on their radar. That happens to be Schalke's Ozan Kabak.
Sky Sports report that Liverpool are working on a loan to buy offer for the seven-cap Turkey international. Michael Edwards faces a race against time to complete a move, though, with the German transfer window closing at 5pm and Schalke seemingly unwilling to let him leave without securing a replacement.
Preparations are underway for a medical to take place in Germany if a deal can be concluded.
Forget Mustafi
With Liverpool eyeing a move for Arsenal's error-prone defender, they must forget all about that deal and seal a move for Kabak instead.
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He is a stalwart of a defender, one who could add a great deal to Jurgen Klopp's squad.
After winning the Bundesliga's Rookie of the Year, a few years ago, Stuttgart sporting director Michael Reschke said he was "one of the most promising young defenders in Europe."
Indeed, the player looks up to Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk so he's certainly taking influence from the right type of player.
The Reds have had to rely on young or inexperienced players like Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams at times this season so it's refreshing to hear of Kabak's maturity levels. Thomas Hitzlersperger once commented: "It's incredible how worldy-wise he is for his age. It's astonishing. I see him every day and am amazed at how he mature he is."
Despite being just 20, he appears to fit the bill for Liverpool. A quick look at the stats show that the £34k-per-week youngster is imperious in the air, winning 4.1 aerial duels per match this season. That's a tally that usurps every Liverpool player to have started five games or more in 2020/21.
It looks like Klopp is keen to get another central defender in as well as Davies and Kabak is a much better option than Mustafi so the Schalke man must be the player to get in today.