Edwards says yes as Liverpool agree to pay up £18m needed for signing

Ozan Kabak Liverpool TEAMtalk

Liverpool have already decided to press ahead with a deal to sign Ozan Kabak from Schalke on a permanent basis this summer, according to a report.

Kabak joined the Reds on an initial six-month loan on deadline day of the January transfer window. As part of the arrangement, they have an option to decide whether they want to keep him beyond the end of the season. Schalke wanted to be notified of their intentions by mid-May, but it has been claimed a decision has already been made.

According to a report on 90min (via the Express) sporting director Michael Edwards has been adequately impressed by his performances, particularly of late.

As a young player joining from a struggling team, Kabak endured a shaky start. He was involved in a calamitous mix-up with goalkeeper Alisson Becker on his debut in the 3-1 loss at Leicester.

But the Turk has looked increasingly at home in a red shirt. He recently contributed to three consecutive clean sheets and put in two assured performances against RB Leipzig to help his new side progress to the last eight of the Champions League.

Overall, he has made nine appearances and seems to be adjusting to the pressure placed upon him.

Therefore, Jurgen Klopp has given chiefs the green light to pay the £18million fee to secure his services for next season and beyond.

Should the extension be confirmed, Kabak will have the opportunity to play alongside his ‘football idol’ next term. Upon moving to Merseyside, he admitted that he is a big fan of Virgil van Dijk.

Ozan Kabak - pic via LiverpoolFC.com

However, with the Dutchman still out injured, he has not been able to feature alongside him as of yet.

Kabak aiming for strong finish

While talk over his future swirls, Kabak’s focus remains firmly on the ongoing campaign.

The champions have a battle on their hands to finish in the top four after disappointing year. In Europe, they must overturn a two goal deficit to progress past Real Madrid.

Their next assignment sees them face Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon. A win would lift them to fifth in the table for a few hours at least.

And Kabak acknowledges how crucial a positive run-in will be, starting today.

“In the Premier League, at this stage we need to win every game,” he said. “Obviously the Madrid game is huge for us in the Champions League. But we will concentrate on the Aston Villa game and we will be there for the win.

“We have eight games remaining in the Premier League and obviously in the Champions League we will decide how many games we’re going to play.

Jurgen Klopp: It's pressure time

Jurgen Klopp: It's pressure time

Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool have a great opportunity to close on the top four when they play Aston Villa.

 

“We don’t have any points to lose and we just need to win every game. This huge club needs to be in the Champions League next year, [like] every year.

“The Real Madrid game is now in the past, we just focus on this game in the Premier League. Obviously we need to win every game and we need to go into the Champions League next year.

“We are desperate to win in the Premier League, so we are fully focused on Saturday.”

Liverpool are winless at Anfield in their last six matches at their home ground. They are also without a goal from open play there since December.

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