Personally I would pass, after the season we have had I would be seriously underwhelmed if we started next season VvD, Matip, Gomez and Ozan. It’s far too risky.
Even descriptions of the loan he was about 8th on Edwards list. If we are splashing £20M on him, I doubt we are paying a lot for another defender.
We need to be aiming to be the best club, not simply a body that can do the job. Our objective needs to be someone good enough to displace Gomez or Matip.
If we are looking for two I’d buy him but that’s probably only happening if Matip is literally being ruled as an occasional option.
Kabak has done quite well in very difficult circumstances but I wouldn’t say his potential is the very highest level. He’s not slow or poor in the air but he doesn’t excel either. Similarly, he’s pretty good on the ball (apart from those 5 minutes today) but not outstanding.
He might develop in a really good defender, but you’d have to think there are a few players out there with a better skill set.
If he comes cheaper than the 18m and as the second of two signings, I can see the logic given our injury concerns. When you’re talking the best part of 20 million it must be possible to get a better player in.
I still think that he’ll become a good defender elsewhere, he’s just found himself at the wrong place, at the wrong time. I did think he was quicker, though. I’m not disappointed by his performances so far overall but I’m also not amazed by him and I think I can see why the people in charge were reluctant to buy him outright.
He is not tall or fast enough, don’t want him.
18 million for Kabak - yes - do it.
He is better than Phillips… Matip and Gomez have injury issues so we need him. He is also likely to improve under VVD.
I think we could also sign Botman or Car… however it seems more likely to be Konate. I think we’ll start to phase Matip out
So last week it was Nat Phillips and now it’s Kabak. 
Seems like people are forgetting we are playing with a young and inexperienced CB duo. Inevitable they will make mistakes and have bad games until the end of the season.
Unfortunately they don’t have the luck of a Joe Gomez who looks world class because he was able to play next to VvD.
Because they have never played for us, didn’t you know the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.
The thing is the coaching staff are getting a very good look at Kabak and so if we go for him we will know there’s good reason’s for that. If they go for someone else we will knoww the grass is greener if you jump a few fences.
A bit shaky at the start but look like he is written off already by some.
Is it £18m or €18m?
Yeah, those opening two minutes against the villa was abysmal.
Caught napping on a ball over the top, and a simple pass straight to the opposition in a dangerous position. Not a good tone to start the game.
But glad he composed himself after that and did ok
His fee as far as I have seen it is:
€3M loan fee + €20M to make it permanent (£18M). The total deal however depending club/player performance could rise to final figure of €30M.
Kabak comes from a Bundesliga relegation team, don’t forget. Meanwhile, Lille is on the top of the French League currently.
At the minimum, Botman is taller. Meanwhile, it is likely that he is as fast as if not faster than Kabak. Don’t forget that we went for him first, and Kabak was only the late choice when our deal failed.
£30m would have been enough to buy one of those two I mentioned.
By eck we may agree 
I do think he does well for the attributes he does possess but, I really want our defenders to be tall & Pacy.
Yes & no, when the ball comes into our area Phillips gets his big noggin to it to clear danger a real bonus for us on set pieces almost as good as big Virg in that respect.
Well said, these guys aren’t top drawer but they are both for me giving their all and punching above their weight.
In fairness I could play next to VVD in defence and he could make me look world class to.
The guy is outrageously good
