With Emre Can still yet to agree a new contract with Liverpool, the German midfielder is believed to be the subject of interest from around Europe.
The 23-year-old’s representatives have been in talks with the club for months, but no breakthrough has been made regarding Can’s future.
Can will enter the final year of his contract this summer, leaving Liverpool in a difficult situation in the transfer market, as they consider whether to cash in on their asset.
That is exactly what the Mirror‘s David Maddock suggests could happen, due to the midfielder’s wage demands.
Currently earning around £35,000 a week, Can’s representatives are said to be asking for over double for the midfielder to sign an extension.
But as the club “will refuse to pay over the odds,” Maddock claims a host of clubs from the continent could make their move for the Germany international this summer.
He names Bayer Leverkusen, Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig as possible destinations in Can’s homeland, while Juventus are also credited with an interest.
It would be a disappointing end to a promising spell on Merseyside if Can were to leave at the end of the season, despite a relatively muted campaign under Jurgen Klopp in 2016/17.
The 49-year-old clearly rates his compatriot, with only four players having made more appearances than Can this season so far, which makes the possibility of Liverpool refusing a wage increase to around £70,000 a week bemusing.
Can is currently enjoying a run in Klopp’s starting lineup due to injury to Jordan Henderson, and was hugely impressive in Saturday’s 3-1 victory at home to Arsenal.
He is set to keep his place for Sunday’s clash with Burnley, with the captain still sidelined with a foot injury.
This magnifies the need to settle Can’s contract dispute, though Klopp is believed to be pursuing Leipzig’s Naby Keita as he looks to add to his midfield ranks in the summer.
While it has been previously suggested that Can could leave if no agreement is made, this is mere common sense.
And that the same source claimed the Reds were chasing Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette among six high-profile summer targets a week ago pours doubt on these reports.
Speaking in November, Can reaffirmed his commitment to the case at Anfield.
“I am very happy here in Liverpool,” he said. “It is a big club and I am enjoying it playing here.”
Fan Comments