According to sports journalist Ekrem Konur (h/t The Spurs Web), Tottenham will make a move for Ozak Kabak when the winter transfer window opens. Although we signed Joe Rodon as somewhat of a replacement for Jan Vertonghen over the summer, we could also do with a long-term replacement for Toby Alderweireld.
Kabak has made more than 60 career appearances for three different clubs before the age of 21 and is now a regular for Turkey’s national team. He looks to have a bright future under the right guidance, but we may have to pay a tidy sum to procure his signature.
How good is Kabak?
Pretty good. The central defender made 18 appearances in all competitions for Galatasaray SK (July 2018 – January 2019) and 17 appearances across the board for Vfb Stuttgart (January 2019 – July 2019). He’s made 31 appearances in 18 months for Schalke (July 2019 – present) and has seen his market value double.
In 29 Bundesliga games, Kabak has scored three goals, made one assist, completd 86.8% of his 1189 passes, won 86/125 aerial duels (68.8%), made 28/34 successful dribbles (82.3%), blocked 30 shots/crosses/passes, made 105 clearances, won 15 freekicks, averaged a tackle (40) or interception (38) every 26 minutes and has only been dribbled past seven times.
The 20-year-old made his debut for Turkey in November 2019 and has featured in four of the six internationals that followed.
How much could he cost?
Schalke paid £13.5m for Kabak in July 2019, but his valuation with Transfermarkt has already risen to £26.1m and CIES Football Observatory say he’s worth €30m-€40m (£27m-£36m). Bild (h/t Buli News) say his release clause is €45m (£40.5m) but can’t be activated until the summer of 2021.
The Turkish international has four years remaining on his deal at the Veltins-Arena, so Schalke have no obligation to cash in any time soon. They don’t need to lower their demands either, so it remains to be seen how much luck we’d have negotiating.
Kabak has been compared to Sergio Ramos for his playing style. He’s an excellent reader of the game, is a pacey defender, strong in the air and times his challenges well. Bayern have been linked with the 20-year-old in the past, but it remains to be seen where he’ll eventually end up if he does leave Schalke.
In other news, here are the pros and cons to Tottenham signing Jerome Boateng