Stuttgart sign Manchester United target

 

German side Stuttgart have announced they have signed highly rated Turkish defender Ozan Kabak from Galatasaray for a club-record fee.

 

Kabak only made his first start for Galatasaray in September but has been courted by a number of Europe’s biggest clubs this season.

 

The 18-year-old has been billed one of Turkey’s most exciting young players and there were even suggestions Manchester United wanted to sign the teenager. 

 

Stuttgart are on the market for a new centre-back after it was confirmed earlier this month that Benjamin Pavard would join Bayern Munich at the end of the season.

 

Markus Weinzierl’s side have broken their club transfer record to sign Kabak after agreeing a reported €11.5m (£10.1m) fee with Galatasaray.

 

“I’m very happy that the transfer has been completed,” he told Stuttgart’s official website. “I’m looking forward to meeting my new team-mates, the club, the wonderful fans and sampling the great atmosphere at the Mercedes-Benz Arena. I’ve got big aims that I’d like to achieve in the long term with VfB Stuttgart.”

 

 

Stuttgart are building a hugely promising young squad, with Kabak adding to the likes of Santiago Ascacibar, Timo Baumgartl and Pablo Maffeo already at the club.

 

On Kabak’s Champions League debut, the teenager won the WhoScored Man of the Match award in a 0-0 draw with Schalke.

 

Furthermore, Kabak has made more tackles and interceptions per game combined (7.5) than any other player in the Champions league this season (3+ apps).