Why Manchester United must avoid signing Ozan Kabak in January
According to a report from the Sun, Manchester United are scouting Galatasaray starlet Ozan Kabak.
Jose Mourinho is desperate to bolster his defensive ranks after Manchester United’s dismal start to the new season. And the Portuguese manager appears to be eyeing a move for Ozan Kabak ahead of the winter transfer window.
Ozan Kabak, 18, only made his senior debut for Galatasaray in May but has quickly established himself as a first-team regular this season and has played in three Champions League games. The report claims Galatasaray value the teenager around £20m, but rumours suggest he has a £7m buyout clause for clubs outside Turkey.
But with the young Turk also attracting interest from the likes of Arsenal, AS Roma and Inter Milan, should Manchester United beat them for Ozan Kabak’s signature?
It is true Manchester United are woeful defensively and Mourinho has little trust in his central defenders. The Reds have leaked goals at an alarming rate this season despite having the likes of Chris Smalling, Eric Bailly, Victor Lindelof and Phil Jones in their ranks.
They were quite miserable defensively during the 2-2 draw with Arsenal at Old Trafford on Wednesday. Although they won against Fulham, the Red Devils failed to maintain a clean sheet. United have now conceded 26 goals in 16 Premier League outings this season, keeping only two clean sheets. The stats are shocking, to say the least. It is also ironical for a Jose Mourinho side as the Portuguese has always built his teams on defensive solidity and tactical nous.
That said, United’s need for a central defender in January is a must if they are to make it to the top four this season. But despite Ozan Kabak showing great promise for Galatasaray this season, the Red Devils must focus on bringing an established centre-half.
United’s current crop of centre-halves are in their 20s and signing yet another young defender doesn’t make sense here. What the Red Devils lack is an experienced central defender, a leader who can come in immediately and bolster the squad. The porous backline needs a defensive general and that rules out Kabak out of the equation.
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Kabak is a promising centre-back with a top potential but he currently doesn’t fit the bill at Old Trafford. Hence, United must avoid splashing the cash on the 18-year-old in January.