Juventus have cooled their interest in Liverpool midfielder Emre Can as they believe that his transfer saga will rumble on until the end of the campaign with many clubs interested in securing his services next summer. According to recent reports, the Serie A champions are currently in hot pursuit of the German international’s signature but could wait until his current Liverpool contract expires in the summer.
The 24-year-old midfielder has the option to sign a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club but the German is yet to commit his future to Juventus as he wants to keep his options open until the summer. The Merseyside outfit has tried and failed in their attempts to tie up Can on a new long-term contract, with the German’s demands for a release clause proving a major stumbling block. He has already insisted that he will decide on his future at the end of the season. Juve CEO Beppe Marotta was recently quoted to have said,
“We are not going to have a final reply anytime soon,”
“He is a top player and many clubs want to sign him.
“He is available as a free agent. We’ve already made our move but his reply is not going to arrive anytime soon.”
In a recent interview after the goalless draw versus Porto last week, Can revealed that his representatives had ‘blocked’ negotiations and was quoted to have said,
“Of course I have to think about my footballing future,”
“I haven’t signed for any other club, I’m just focused on this season. We want to finish in second place in the Premier League, we’re in the Champions League quarter-finals and we want to progress. That’s all I’m focused on now.
“My agent has blocked all the negotiations, I’m thinking only of football.”
The departure of Can could leave the Liverpool squad significantly depleted ahead of the new campaign but the impending arrival of Naby Keita could soften the blow of losing the German international. Having said that, the Reds should do all they can to keep hold of Can as his recent form this season has been sensational, to say the least.
Can has featured in 36 matches for Liverpool this season, scoring six goals while providing five assists in all competitions. He is highly versatile and can play in a number of different positions across the midfield and the backline. He primarily operates as a holding midfielder but can also play in central defence which makes him an ideal asset for any of his potential suitors. It remains to be seen what lies ahead in the future of Can whether Liverpool are able to retain his services beyond this season.
