According to the Athletic, Newcastle do not expect to sign Ozan Kabak this summer from Schalke.
However, that might change if the Bundesliga side lower their asking price.
Kabak spent the second half of the season on loan at Liverpool, with the Reds having the option to buy him permanently.
Alas, it looks like Kabak won’t be returning to Anfield. It was reported that Liverpool would have to pay £18million to sign Kabak on a permanent deal, and the Reds have since signed Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig.
That leaves Kabak with the possibility of playing in the second tier of German football next season, after his club Schalke were relegated from the Bundesliga.
While he failed to set the world alight at Liverpool, he certainly should be playing at a higher level than that.
Kabak managed 13 appearances in total for Liverpool, but came into the team at a tough time for Jurgen Klopp’s men.
He’s clearly a talented player though, and at 21 has a lot of room for improvement.
But will we see him at Newcastle next season?
Ozan Kabak to Newcastle not looking likely
The Magpies reportedly tried to sign Kabak earlier in the year.
Since then, there have been reports that Kabak could head to St James’ Park if Liverpool didn’t exercise their option to buy.
It looks like money could be the issue though.
It had been claimed by the Sun that Kabak wants £80,000-a-week, while an £18million fee has been touted. However, the Athletic claim it could be even more than that.
That would make him one of Newcastle’s most expensive signings ever.
According to the Athletic, Newcastle’s stance over Kabak will only change if Schalke lower their asking price.
This may be one to keep an eye on towards the end of the window if we haven’t signed the centre-back Steve Bruce craves.
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