Liverpool ‘REJECT chance to re-sign Ozan Kabak’ as they ‘turn their attentions to Nicolo Barella’

Liverpool ‘REJECT chance to bring Ozan Kabak back to Anfield for £8.5m’ and instead ‘turn their attentions to £60m-rated Inter star Nicolo Barella’ with Man United also interested

  • Liverpool have reportedly rejected the chance to re-sign Schalke’s Ozan Kabak
  • The Turkish defender spent four months on loan at Anfield last season
  • Reports claim he’s been offered to the Reds for £8.5m, which has been rejected
  • Meanwhile, Liverpool are interested in signing Inter Milan star Nicolo Barella
  • Barella, who helped Italy win Euro 2020, is also wanted by Manchester United 

Liverpool have reportedly turned down the chance to re-sign Ozan Kabak from Schalke for £8.5million.

The German club are said to have offered the Turkey international up to Liverpool in a desperate bid to raise funds and cut their wage bill, following their relegation from the Bundesliga.

However, according to Goal, Liverpool, who signed Kabak on a four-month loan deal in January, have rejected the chance to buy the defender permanently and are unlikely to change their stance before the end of the transfer window.

Liverpool have reportedly rejected the chance to re-sign Schalke defender Ozan Kabak 

The 21-year-old was signed on the final day of the January window as the Reds moved to bring in cover following their defensive crisis which saw Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip miss large chunks of the season.

While Kabak would go on to make 13 appearances across all competitions for Jurgen Klopp‘s men, the Anfield club opted against taking up the option to make his loan move permanent for £18million

And now with Ibrahima Konate joining from RB Leipzig in May and Van Dijk, Matip and Gomez all set to return, there is no room for the Turkish international at the club.

While Liverpool appear to be set in terms of defensive options, their search for a midfielder goes on.

The 21-year-old Turk was signed on a loan deal lasting four months from Schalke in January

The 21-year-old Turk was signed on a loan deal lasting four months from Schalke in January

The Reds moved to bring in cover following Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez's long-term injuries

The Reds moved to bring in cover following Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez’s long-term injuries

Reports on Wednesday claimed that the club have reportedly walked away from trying to sign Youri Tielemans this summer after being priced out by Leicester.

Atletico Madrid‘s Saul Niguez was also a target but the Spaniard is on the verge of joining Barcelona in a sensational swap deal with Antoine Griezmann heading in the other direction.

Klopp is in the market for a midfielder after Georginio Wijnaldum left on a free transfer to join Paris Saint-Germain, but following Italy’s triumph at Euro 2020, the German boss could be lining up another target.

According to Italian news outlet Tuttomercatoweb, the Reds are interested in signing the £60m-rated Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella.

The 24-year-old played a starring role as the Azzurri beat England to win the European Championship at Wembley on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Liverpool are interested in signing Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella

Meanwhile, Liverpool are interested in signing Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella

Barella, who helped Italy beat England to win Euro 2020, is also wanted by Manchester United

Barella, who helped Italy beat England to win Euro 2020, is also wanted by Manchester United

His performances have made plenty of Europe’s elite stand up and take notice, and Liverpool could find themselves in a bidding war with Manchester United, who are also reportedly interested.

It remains unlikely that the Italian champions would part with the midfielder, given how they paid Cagliari £38m for his service in 2019.

Should Klopp struggle to land Barella, he could pursue Borussia Monchengladbach’s Florian Neuhaus, Brighton and Hove Albion’s Yves Bissouma or Renato Sanches of Lille instead. 

Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse has also been suggested as an outside option if they can’t wrap up deals for their other top midfield targets.