German club slap huge release clause on defender amid Celtic interest.
Celtic’s hopes of landing summer target Ozan Kabak have been dealt a blow, with Hoffenheim slapping a massive release clause on the defender as part of his new contract extension.
Credited with an interest in the former Liverpool centre-back last month, the Glasgow giants were said to be one of a number of European sides mulling over a deal for the Turkish international, who was about to enter the final few weeks of his current deal at the PreZero Arena.
Named as a ‘cost-effective’ option, Kabak joined a list that included Motherwell’s Elijah Just and Hibs midfielder Miguel Chaiwa as three players the club were looking to advance on in the summer transfer window, as they look to bounce back from a season of turmoil that has seen them change managers three times during the campaign.
Kabak during his stint on loan to Liverpool.placeholder image
Kabak during his stint on loan to Liverpool. | AFP via Getty Images
However, Die Kraichgauer have now confirmed that they have reached an agreement over a new contract for the 26-year-old, with Kabak signing an extension that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2030. According to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, the new deal includes a €25 million release clause that will become active next summer, effectively ruling Celtic out of a move for the centre-back.
A former Bundesliga rookie of the year winner, he landed the nickname ‘Turkish de Ligt’ early in his career amid comparisons to Manchester United and Netherlands centre-back Mattias de Ligt, who moved to Old Trafford in a £39million deal from Bayern Munich two-and-a-half years ago.
Beginning his career in his homeland with Galatasaray, he moved to the Bundesliga as a teenager with Stuttgart. He was quickly snapped up by Schalke 04 for a fee of £13 million just a year after his arrival in the German top flight. After impressing in Gelsenkirchen, he was brought to Liverpool on a loan-to-buy deal by former Anfield boss Jurgen Klopp. However, after playing just nine times, they opted against making his move permanent. He went on to spend a season on loan with Norwich City before returning to the Bundesliga with Hoffenheim in the summer of 2022, where he has featured regularly over the last three seasons.
Meanwhile, the Hoops are said to be monitoring Scotland centre-back Scott McKenna’s situation at Dinamo Zagreb ahead of the summer. A report from Croatian outlet Germanijak claims that Celtic, as well as clubs in England, have recently sent scouts to watch the 29-year-old in action at Stadion Maksimir.
Scotland international Scott McKenna has been valued at £10million by club side Dinano Zagreb.placeholder image
Scotland international Scott McKenna has been valued at £10million by club side Dinano Zagreb. | AFP via Getty Images
A position that the club have been down to the bare bones with at times this season, Cameron Carter-Vickers has missed the majority of the season with an Achilles injury, Auston Trusty also missed a significant spell earlier in the year due to plantar fasciitis, while on loan defender Benjamin Arthur is set to return to Brentford at the end of the campaign. Often left with just Liam Scales and Dane Murray as their only fit options, Celtic are believed to have targeted additions in defence when the window opens in the summer.
Read More
However, if the club wants to add McKenna to their squad, they’ve been warned it’ll take a big fee to prize him away from Dinamo Zagreb. According to the club’s chief scout, Tomislav Sokota, who said, "It's not just speculation about Scott McKenna. There are serious offers. We are talking about £10 million here."