Schalke 04: 20 most expensive transfers in Schalke 04 history
By Josh Sippie
4. Ozan Kabak—$16.50m
The most exciting name on this list for many reasons, the most pertinent being the simple fact that within months of joining Schalke, his value had already doubled. From the $16.50m that Die Knappen paid for him, he ballooned to a whopping $35.2m in market value.
Which is the exact opposite of what normally happens when this club spends big money on a player. But there’s a reason why the coup of Kabak was reported with such high regard. This was a top defensive talent sought after by so many top teams across Europe.
Kabak rose to the forefront of the international spectrum when he stepped into the starting lineup in October of 2019 and promptly showed that all the hype (and money) was well-earned. He showcased tremendous composure in any defensive situation, he managed the ball like a midfielder, and he was fearless in his defending. watching him track a runner one-on-one is the stuff dreams are made of.
Kabak has such a bright future ahead of him at Schalke. No matter what happens, the only thing the club has to ensure is that they always stay in control of his contractual status.