---
title: "Tottenham Hotspur: Spurs open negotiations with Schalke over Ozan Kabak"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tottenham-hotspur-spurs-open-negotiations-with-schalke-over-ozan-kabak/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Thomas Ward"
section: "Premier League"
published: "2020-07-16T12:00:01Z"
modified: "2020-07-16T12:00:01Z"
---

# Tottenham Hotspur: Spurs open negotiations with Schalke over Ozan Kabak

**Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho wants to sign a new centre-back sooner rather than later, as [Jan Vertonghen](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1277651/Tottenham-news-Jose-Mourinho-Eric-Dier-Jan-Vertonghen-latest-gossip-rumours) is likely to leave at the end of his contract.**

[Mourinho](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/11720841/jose-mourinho-spurs-transfer-budget-slashed/) has insisted he will not be splashing the cash in the summer but will be making necessary additions to his squad all the same.

According to Turkish journalist [Ekrem Konur](https://twitter.com/Ekremkonur/status/1283110212648472581) (via [The Spurs Web](https://twitter.com/thespursweb/status/1283301116940255238)), Tottenham have opened negotiations with Schalke over a potential transfer for Ozan Kabak.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”303369″\]

Spurs have been linked to his teammate [Weston McKennie](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tottenham-transfer-rumours/tottenham-hotspur-spurs-keen-to-sign-bundesliga-star-weston-mckennie/) but have now turned their attentions to the defender as well.

[Schalke](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tottenham-transfer-rumours/tottenham-hotspur-spurs-keen-to-sign-bundesliga-star-weston-mckennie/) are struggling to cope with financial pressures and could lose a number of key players as a result.

It is no secret that the Lilywhites have leaked goals for fun over the course of the season so far, as they have conceded more goals than Arsenal, Sheffield United and [Premier League](https://www.premierleague.com/stats/top/clubs/goals_conceded) champions Liverpool at the time of writing amongst others.

[\[freshpress-poll id=”309665″\]](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/[freshpress-poll%20id=%22309665%22])

Mourinho believes Kabak, who has been compared to Real Madrid ace [Sergio Ramos](https://talksport.com/football/552585/ozan-kabak-arsenal-manchester-united-stuttgart-transfer-sergio-ramos-virgil-van-dijk/) in the past, would be a [real improvement](https://sportwitness.co.uk/hes-way-tottenham-belief-bundesliga-defender-will-team-mourinho-london/) to his back line.

The 20-year-old has played 26 games in the Bundesliga this season, scoring 3 goals, picking up 1 assist, making 1.4 tackles per game, averaging 1.4 interceptions, and completing a staggering 3.6 clearances on average (via [WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/356743/Show/Ozan-Kabak)).

However, it is worth pointing out he signed a contract keeping him at the VELTINS-Arena until [2024](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ozan-kabak/profil/spieler/361260), and he is currently valued at £26m via [Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ozan-kabak/profil/spieler/361260).

Make no mistake, Kabak will not come cheap. Yes Schalke may be in dire straits but that doesn’t mean they will be willing to sell a player who has bags of potential for peanuts. Whether or not [Daniel Levy](https://www.90min.com/posts/6595503-7-times-daniel-levy-tried-to-avoid-spending-money) will be able to negotiate a transfer for a reasonable price is another matter entirely.

***Tottenham fans, should Spurs sign Ozan Kabak in the summer? Let us know down below!***