Everton are apparently very keen on signing Ozan Kabak this summer.
German news outlet Fussballdaten believe The Friedkin Group view the Turkey international as an “ideal solution” to bolster the defence without breaking the bank at Everton this summer, as the centre-back is leaving Hoffenheim on a free transfer.
If a deal for Kabak does materialise, it will be interesting to see what kind of reception the 25-year-old receives at the Hill Dickinson Stadium given his love for rivals Liverpool.
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Everton target Ozan Kabak adores Liverpool
The man from Ankara actually spent the second half of the 2020/21 campaign on loan at Anfield from Schalke.
It was a dream move for Kabak, who told the Reds all about his love for Liverpool growing up upon arriving on Merseyside. The Turk said: “Liverpool was my childhood team. So I always wanted to come to this club, to play at this amazing stadium, in front of these amazing fans. It’s a dream for me. Now the dream comes true.”
Liverpool had an option to buy the defender for £18m at the end of that season, but declined.
Kabak has since settled at Hoffenheim – who paid €7m (£6m) to sign him from Schalke in July 2022 – making 78 appearances in total so far for the German side.
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Everton face strong competition for Ozan Kabak, David Moyes could be thwarted by his former side
Fussballdaten believe Everton have fierce competition in the race to sign Kabak this summer.
AC Milan are interested, as are Roma – who are of course owned by The Friedkin Group. So, Moyes may have to convince his bosses not to send the Turkish defender to Rome over Merseyside.
The Glaswegian also faces competition from his old side West Ham, although the east Londoners will be out of the picture if they suffer relegation – Fussballdaten believe Kabak is only leaving Hoffenheim to test himself at a higher level, so the Championship is unlikely to appeal.
The Hoffenheim No.5 was described as possessing a “deceptively quick turn of pace” by the Bundesliga back in 2020 during his time at Schalke.
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With Michael Keane and James Tarkowski appearing to struggle with the size of the new pitch at the Hill Dickinson Stadium given their lack of speed, perhaps Kabak would therefore be an ideal signing.
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