West Ham United are in a predicament when it comes to potential recruits. The Hammers currently sit in the bottom three of the Premier League. Therefore, they do not know if they will need players for another season in the top flight or the Championship next season.
Many of the players West Ham have been linked with recently will be reluctant to join them if they are relegated. However, if they stay in the division, their current form shows promise that better days lie ahead.
The transfer expert, Ekrem Konur, posted on X: "Celtic eyeing Ozan Kabak on a free transfer this summer! 25-year-old Turkish CB → contract expires in June, leaving Hoffenheim. Celtic → see him as low-cost defensive solution. AS Roma, West Ham, AC Milan → also linked."
It is interesting to see Konur mention such a range of different clubs. After starring for Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga, joining Celtic of the Scottish Premiership would be seen as a step down for Kabak.
Ozan Kabak has a point to prove in English soccer
Roma and Milan are two of Serie A's top sides, and Italian soccer has always prided itself on having top defenders. However, Kabak may want another crack at the Premier League.
Kabak came through the ranks at Galatasaray and went on to play for Stuttgart and Schalke. From Schalke, he went on loan to Liverpool but made just 13 appearances in total for the Reds. Liverpool did not take up the option to sign him permanently.
The Turkish international would get another chance at the Premier League with Norwich City. However, he played just 11 times in the division for the Canaries as they suffered relegation during the 2021/22 campaign.
Kabak found a home at Hoffenheim, where he currently plays alongside former West Ham defender Vladimír Coufal. The Bundesliga side is where Kabak has played for more than anyone, with 79 appearances in total.
The center-back is only 25 and has 26 caps for Turkey. Hammers fans may not be enamoured by the prospect of signing Kabak, due to his history with Liverpool and Norwich. However, many felt the same about Axel Disasi, and he has been excellent for the Hammers since he arrived on loan from Chelsea in January.