Liverpool have been linked with Schalke defender Ozan Kabak according to Bild.

Per the source, the Reds are interested in Kabak as a replacement for Dejan Lovren who could be on his way out.

Russian outfit Zenit St Petersburg want the Croatia international.

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Kabak has been closely linked with a move to England after his rapid progression from the Galatasaray youth side aged 18 to earn himself a high profile move to Stuttgart and then Schalke last summer.

The Turkey international has a €45m release clause that does not come into effect until next year.

That means clubs will be able to negotiate a fee this summer.

Schalke would reportedly be happy to make a profit on the €15m they spent on Kabak in June 2019 as they are in financial difficulty.

However, in a conflicting report the Liverpool Echo completely rule out Kabak as a target and claim that the Reds are not even interested in the young centre-back.

The young defender is a self-professed fan of Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk.

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Kabak is not an EU national but based on the transfer fee and wages it would cost to sign him it is highly probable that he would be granted a work permit to play in England.

The 20-year-old has three goals and one assist in all competitions for Schalke this season.