Manchester United are reportedly eyeing a shock move for Emre Can, with the Liverpool midfielder also being targeted by Juventus.
According to a report by The Sun, Manchester United have joined Juventus in the race to sign Emre Can. The German midfielder is in the final year of his contract with Liverpool, and could depart from Anfield on a Bosman move if the Reds fail to tie him down to a new deal.
Can joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2014 in a €12 million deal, having spent just one season at the Bundesliga club. Widely regarded as one of the most promising midfielders in Europe at the time, the player hasn’t quite fulfilled his potential just yet.
Under Jurgen Klopp, Can has struggled to hold down a regular spot in the starting lineup, often frustrating with his tendency to drift out of games. In all, the German midfielder has made 138 appearances for the Reds, and has also chipped in with ten goals and nine assists.
Nevertheless, he remains a key player in Jurgen Klopp’s squad, and there are increasing fears that he could leave the club as a free agent next summer, with less than a year left on his current deal. And, the player seems to be a popular figure in the transfer market with some of the biggest clubs in the world eyeing him.
Manchester United are reportedly considering a shock move for German midfielder Emre Can from Premier League rivals Liverpool. [Tuttosport] pic.twitter.com/8HVJofhERu
— LFC Transfer Room (@LFCTransferRoom) October 6, 2017
Juventus have been tailing him for a long time, having attempted to sign him this past summer as well. Massimiliano Allegri continues to look for options to add to his midfield, despite the arrival of Blaise Matuidi in the summer.
Indeed, with Claudio Marchisio and Sami Khedira struggling with a spate of injuries in the last two seasons, Can will not only bolster the Juventus manager’s options but also potentially be a long-term option.
However, the Bianconeri now have face competition from Manchester United for the player’s signature, with the Red Devils keeping tabs on him as well. Jose Mourinho did bolster his midfield options in the summer by signing Nemanja Matic.
But, with Michael Carrick likely to call time on his career at the end of the season, Can has emerged as a viable, albeit potentially controversial target to replace the veteran Englishman, especially considering he might not cost anything next summer.
But, Manchester United may have to move quickly in order to persuade him to make the switch to Old Trafford, with Juventus reportedly keen on tying Can down to a pre-contract in January. It now remains to be seen if either club makes any progress in their pursuit of Can, or if he inks a renewal with Liverpool.
