With Emre Can still yet to sign a new contract with Liverpool, the German midfielder is set for further talks with the club this summer.
Can will enter the final year of his contract at the end of 2016/17, likely prompting interest from around Europe.
The 23-year-old has made the fifth-most appearances of any Liverpool player this season, however, and it is clear that Jurgen Klopp is a big admirer of his compatriot.
This will see the club continue to push for a new deal for Can in the summer, as they seek to resolve a dispute with the player’s representatives.
According to the Liverpool Echo‘s James Pearce, talks were held before Christmas, but broke down due to Can’s wage demands, believed to be around £100,000 a week.
With this being around double his current salary, Pearce reports that the club are looking to reach a “compromise,” with Klopp eager to prolong Can’s time on Merseyside.
This will see talks resume at the end of the season, as “all parties have agreed to put discussions on the backburner for the time being.”
Liverpool have 11 games left to play before the campaign ends, and Can will need to find consistency between now and then to prove his worth to the club’s hierarchy.
It has been something of a troubled term for the Germany international, hampered by injury and an increased competition for places following the arrival of Georginio Wijnaldum in the summer.
Adam Lallana has also been remoulded into a central midfielder, while Jordan Henderson has been installed as Klopp’s first-choice No. 6.
This has limited Can’s game time, despite his 29 appearances, starting just 15 games in the Premier League so far, with a struggle for form also holding him back.
Henderson is currently sidelined with a foot injury, and having missed the Reds’ last two outings, is also likely to sit out of Sunday’s clash with Burnley.
After impressing against both Leicester City and, in particular, Arsenal, Can should be given another opportunity to shine against the Clarets.
It is unlikely Liverpool will meet Can’s £100,000-a-week demands, given the more influential Lallana recently signed a five-year deal worth £110,000 a week.
But there is certainly room for improvement, given Can’s importance to Klopp in the long term.
Fan Comments