Marseille pull the plug on Caleta-Car deal, Liverpool go after Kabak

Liverpool’s hopes of landing the Croatia international Duje Caleta-Car were dashed on Sunday evening because the French club couldn’t find a replacement. The 24-year-old nearly boarded the flight to Manchester Airport to go and talk to Liverpool representatives, but it was a no-go.

Marseille were tempted by an offer believed to be well over $20 million, but they’ve had a late change of heart and decided to hang onto the player whose contract has another two and a half years to run.

This dramatic event forced Liverpool to consider their options and make a swift move to land another much-needed defender before the transfer window closes.

Duje Caleta Car and Ozan Kabak (©Reuters)

Jurgen Klopp decided to go after his long-admired target Ozan Kabak from Schalke. The 20-year-old Turkish stopper has been playing well in a terrible Schalke side and is considered a highly promising player. The German coach has been a fan for a while but wasn’t quite expected to launch an offer for the Turk. However, the collapse of Caleta-Car deal and pressing injury woes at Anfield mean that the Reds can’t afford to wait.

As Sky Sports are reporting, Kabak will initially move on loan to Liverpool with an option of a permanent transfer. The former Galatasaray and Stuttgart starlet is keen on the move to a bigger club. Besides, remaining at the club that seems condemned to relegation doesn’t seem like a desirable choice for the ambitious Turkey international. Still, the completion of the deal remains in the balance because Schalke too prefer to secure a replacement before letting their prized asset change clubs.

Schalke are expected to insert a clause in the potential Kabak sale that would oblige Liverpool to buy the player in the summer for a fee of around $30 million.