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Football

01st Feb 2021

Liverpool set to sign Ozan Kabak as Mustafi terminates Arsenal contract

Wayne Farry

The 20-year-old has seven caps for Turkey… and is very good in my Schalke FIFA Career Mode

Liverpool are reportedly on the verge of agreeing a loan deal with an option to buy for Schalke 04’s Turkish centre-back Ozan Kabak, as they look to add further reinforcements to injury-ravaged defence.

Any deal for the 20-year-old was said to be wholly dependent on the German side’s ability to sign a replacement, with Arsenal centre-back Shkodran Mustafi their target.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Mustafi has successfully agreed the termination of his contract with Arsenal, clearing the way for Schalke to allow Kabak to join Liverpool.

 

Preston North End centre-half Ben Davies, who can also play left-back, is also said to be on the verge of a move to Liverpool, while the club has also been linked with Marseille over highly rated Croatian defender Duje Caleta-Car. Whether the 24-year-old is likely to join, however, remains purely speculative.

According to Romano, Liverpool have agreed personal terms with Kabak, as well as agreeing terms with his representatives. Schalke are understood to prefer an obligation to buy in the deal, though reports have emerged in the last hour that Liverpool have agreed an option instead.

Mustafi leaves Arsenal after four and a half seasons at the club. His departure will be viewed as a success by the club, who have been trying to shift deadwood from their squad, and have done so during this January transfer window with the departures of Mesut Ozil and Sokratis.