Ozan Kabak was set to join Liverpool’s Premier League rivals Newcastle United before the Reds late interest “blew them out of the water”, according to a report.
The Reds sealed a transfer deadline day deal for the Turkish centre-back, who has come to the club on loan for the rest of the season from Schalke with an option to join permanently in the summer for £18million plus add ons.
Liverpool have paid a loan fee of around £1million while a potential further £500,000 rests on appearances and performance in the Champions League.
However, BBC Sport reporter Ian Dennis has claimed that Newcastle United were set to land the 20-year-old, before a dramatic turn of events.
He tweeted: "Newcastle United had agreed a deal with the Turkish defender Ozan Kabak before Liverpool nipped in to sign the defender from Schalke.
"LFC blew Newcastle out of the water once they registered their interest with a loan deal where they have an option to buy for £18m.”
Kabak was one of two centre-backs to arrive at Anfield on transfer deadline day with Liverpool completing the permanent signing of Ben Davies from Preston North End while the Reds also signed teenager goalkeeper Liam Hughes from Celtic.
