Manchester City are reportedly eyeing a shock move for Liverpool midfielder Emre Can, who is also being tracked by Juventus.
Italian publication Calciomercato have reported that Emre Can has emerged on the radar of Manchester City. The Premier League club is ready to provide stiff competition to Juventus, who have been tailing the Liverpool midfielder for several months now.
Can moved to Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2014 in a €12 million deal. Widely regarded as one of the most promising young midfielders at the time, the player has made considerable progress at Anfield, but has often flattered to deceive with his inconsistencies.
In particular, Can has been criticised for his tendency to drift out of games, although he has been a regular, and a key member within Jurgen Klopp’s first-team setup. In all, the 23-year-old has made 143 appearances for Liverpool, although he would like to improve on his record of 11 goals and 9 assists for the Reds.
Nevertheless, his reputation has not failed to burgeon with every passing season, and Can has become a popular figure in the transfer market. Meanwhile, there are increasing fears around the Liverpool camp that he could leave the club as a free agent, with Juventus, in particular, in hot pursuit of the player.
Manchester City are seriously interested in Liverpool midfielder Emre Can (23) who is out of contract next summer. [@cmdotcom] pic.twitter.com/vP6uX3bj82
— City Watch (@City_Watch) November 3, 2017
Indeed, with Claudio Marchisio and Sami Khedira struggling with a number of injuries over the last two seasons, Can could not only bolster the Massimiliano Allegri’s current options, but also potentially be a long-term option.
In fact, the Bianconeri gave it their all to land the Germany international this past summer, but Liverpool managed to hold on to their man. The Italian champions though, have not ended their pursuit of Can, with Club CEO Giuseppe Marotta publicly admitting their continued interest in him.
The report suggests that Juventus have put a €4.5 million-per-season contract offer on the table for Can, with negotiations going well. However, they are set to face stiff competition for the player, with Manchester City emerging as the latest suitors in his pursuit.
Pep Guardiola has a number of options in midfield at the present moment, with Ilkay Gundogan and Yaya Toure in addition to his first-choice midfielders David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne and Fernandinho. But, Toure is likely to be sold next summer, while Fernandinho and Silva are on the wrong side of 30.
Thus, Can is a viable target for Guardiola, having showcased his abilities to flourish in a deeper role this season. The report adds that City are ready to eclipse Juventus’ offer for the player, and could even go on to double their proposal to get him to sign on the dotted line.
Juventus are also open to secure the German’s services in January, although Klopp is likely to be unwilling to see him depart in the winter transfer window. It now remains to be seen if the Italians are outspent by City in pursuit of Can, or if they finally succeed in their pursuit of the player.
