---
title: "Virals: James Pearce rules out bargain move for Ozan Kabak"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/virals-james-pearce-rules-out-bargain-move-for-ozan-kabak/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "Liverpool News"
published: "2021-06-23T17:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-06-23T17:00:00Z"
---

# Virals: James Pearce rules out bargain move for Ozan Kabak

[Liverpool](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/06/23/virals-james-pearce-calls-liverpool-move-for-john-mcginn-unrealistic/) cut a desperate figure when Schalke central defender [Ozan Kabak](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/05/26/liverpool-kabak-deal-unlikely/) was signed on transfer deadline day.

Bereft of options at the back, Jurgen Klopp sanctioned the loan arrival of the Turkish youngster and the unlikely [permanent capture](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/424460-liverpool-seal-signing-of-ben-davies-on-long-term-deal) of Preston North End ace Ben Davies.

It was to be the 21-year-old that would go on to feature heavily for the Reds, however, making [nine Premier League appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ozan-kabak/leistungsdaten/spieler/361260) before a [muscle problem](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ozan-kabak/verletzungen/spieler/361260) brought a premature end to an Anfield swansong.

Despite impressing, for the most part, Klopp had seemingly rejected the chance to sign Kabak for the [pre-existing £18million option](https://theathletic.com/news/liverpool-transfers-ozan-kabak-confirmed/WTqaGzztbWbm) from the recently relegated Bundesliga club.

Whilst the [signing of Ibrahima Konate](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/435628-liverpool-agree-deal-to-sign-ibrahima-konate-from-rb-leipzig) has all but ruled out the possibility of backtracking on the Turkish starlet, recent reports suggesting Nat Phillips could be on the way out of Merseyside have reignited some hopes.

Reputable journalist James Pearce was quick to kibosh the prospect on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/JamesPearceLFC/status/1407613144948744194) when stating: ”No. That ship has sailed.” with the boat emoji for good measure.

> Twitter: @AnythingLFC\_ No. That ship has sailed ![🛳](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.0.1/svg/1f6f3.svg) (@JamesPearceLFC)

Kabak, who averaged [6.78 with Sofascore](https://www.sofascore.com/player/ozan-kabak/857740) from nine league outings, has [reportedly](https://www.derwesten.de/sport/fussball/s04/fc-schalke-04-ozan-kabak-wechsel-abloese-tuerkei-em-2021-bank-gruppenphase-id232586167.html) been made available for ‘significantly less’ than the original release clause – triggering a potential move from Liverpool.

However, given the newly found strength in depth with Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip [set to return](https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/virgil-van-dijk-injury-update-return-date-liverpool-euro-2020-latest-news-997769) in the coming weeks, a fifth new option alongside Konate seems unlikely.

### READ LIVERPOOL VERDICT

Although the heroes of the run-in Phillips and Rhys Williams could [both leave the club](https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/rhys-williams-liverpool-loan-move-24184266) before next season, spending part of the incomings on another central defensive option is unlikely.

With Davies and at a push [Billy Koumetio](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/billy-koumetio/profil/spieler/696324) in situ, four frontline options, in theory, should suffice and Liverpool would be better off spending the Kabak fee on strengthening other areas of the squad.

Valued at £22.5million ([Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ozan-kabak/marktwertverlauf/spieler/361260#:~:text=Centre%2DBack%22.-,With%20a%20market%20value%20of%20%C2%A322.50m%2C%20Ozan%20Kabak,players%20of%20the%20Premier%20League.)), someone is going to land themselves a talented bargain this summer.