Crystal Palace and Leicester City could be handed the chance to sign Ozan Kabak ‘for significantly less money’ than expected this summer.
That’s according to Der Westen, who say the player’s lack of appearances for Turkey at the European Championships have ruined Schalke’s plans.
Kabak spent the second half of last season on loan at Liverpool, who had an option to sign him permanently but elected not to take that up.
He’s returned to Schalke, but they are keen to sell as the Turkish defender is a big asset, so they cannot afford to avoid a ‘lucrative’ sale.
Likewise, they cannot afford his wages, which are ‘too expensive’ for them following relegation.
Their plan was to wait until later in the summer after the Euros in the hope that Kabak could star for Turkey, drive up interest in a deal and potentially his asking price too.
They’ve suffered a ‘bitter setback’ on that front, though as the plan ‘flopped completely’ courtesy of Turkey’s lacklustre showings.
They went out at the group stage, and worse still, Kabak didn’t play a single minute of football in their three games.
It means he couldn’t put himself in the window and increase his suitors, with Crystal Palace, Leicester City and RB Leipzig all having shown an interest before the tournament.
He likewise wasn’t able to increase his value, which is around €25m.
Now Schalke need to resume talks with those clubs ‘without being in a better negotiating position’.
They desperately need a sale but now know Kabak could go for ‘significantly less money’.
That opens the door for Crystal Palace and Leicester to get the defender on a bargain deal, with Schalke’s plans in ruins and them ready to be taken advantage of.
