Report: Ozan Kabak to Bayern Munich heating up as Niko Kovac greenlights the transfer (Updated)

Now this is exciting. According to a new report by Sport1, Bayern Munich are ramping up their interest in Stuttgart defender Ozan Kabak. The young center-back is seen as a potential replacement for Mats Hummels and could potentially become a key part of the Bavarians' planned rejuvenation.

According to the report, Kabak's agent Fazil Ozdemir flew to Munich on Monday for talks with the German record champions. These talks were described as very positive. Then, following this, he flew to Milan for negotiations with Seria A giant AC Milan. Milan are the other major club interested in the player, and it was earlier reported that Kabak would prefer them as a destination on account of a better chance at playing time.

However, that may not be the case anymore. Sport1 claims that Niko Kovac has given the green light for the transfer, and he sees the young Turkish center-back as more than a mere backup. Despite having played just half a season in the Bundesliga, Kabak is a highly rated talent, having won the "Rookie of the Hinrunde" award in his first half-season in Germany. While it's hard to imagine Kabak supplanting either Niklas Süle or Lucas Hernandez from the starting lineup, stranger things have happened.

Since Bayern have already purchased Benjamin Pavard, this would be the second transfer from Stuttgart in this transfer window. On the surface, it seems rather strange for Bayern to buy two center-backs from a now-relegated team, but to be honest neither Pavard nor Kabak can be blamed for Stuttgart's shortcomings. There was far too much going wrong with that team.

Ozan Kabak is rumored to cost around €15 million — an incredible price for someone so young and talented. Hopefully, this transfer goes through so we fans can have something to celebrate in an otherwise drab transfer window thus far.

Update: Christian Falk gives his take on the rumor.

At least he didn't denounce it as "not true".