Celtic have the chance to bring in some new faces in the summer transfer window

Celtic have placed Hoffenheim defender Ozan Kabak ‘on the list’ of their summer targets, as per a report by TEAMtalk. The Glasgow giants are said to be keen on landing the centre-back. The report adds that FC Koln’s Eric Martel is also on their radar.

The Hoops continue to chase down Hearts at the summit of the Scottish Premiership table. They are five points behind the Jam Tarts. Martin O’Neil’s side won 2-1 away at Aberdeen last time out.

Celtic target Hoffenheim defender Ozan Kabak

Celtic wouldn’t need to pay a transfer fee for Kabak which would be a boost. That is because he is out of contract in late June. He is due to become a free agent as things stand and is yet to put pen-to-paper on an extension with Hoffenheim meaning he is free to weigh up his options.

Kabak, 25, is a Turkey international with 26 caps to his name. He joined his current club back in 2022 and has since been a valuable member of their squad. The Ankara-born man has made 80 appearances for them in all competitions and has chipped in with 12 goals.

The Hoops could see him as someone to boost their defensive department. If he joined, he would give them more competition and depth at the back. He could battle it out with the likes of Cameron Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales and Auston Trusty, among others, for a place in their starting XI.

Ozan Kabak was once hailed by Jurgen Klopp

Kabak started his career at Galatasaray and rose up through their academy. He was a regular for the Turkish Super Lig powerhouses at various different youth levels before breaking into their first-team as a youngster. Stuttgart then lured him to Germany before he switched to Schalke.

He subsequently had loan spells at Liverpool and Norwich City in England before Hoffenheim came calling. After signing him at Anfield in 2021, ex-Reds manager Jurgen Klopp said at the time: "Yes, Dave (Wagner) was already very, very positive about him.

"He came very young to Germany and everybody was clear he was a massive talent. He is only 20 now. He plays in his second club [in Germany]; he is at Schalke and unfortunately, they are in a bad position in the moment. For him, I think it's a really good moment to make the move because, like each player in the world, you need a stable team around you and that's what we can deliver.”

Klopp added: "We deliver a stable team and you can play your position, you don't have to be 20 with pretty much everything on the pitch and not allowed to make mistakes anymore. He's really a big, big talent and we are really looking forward to working with him."