BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Sunday, December 4, 2016: Liverpool's Emre Can celebrates scoring the third goal against AFC Bournemouth during the FA Premier League match at Dean Court. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Rumour Mill: Juventus ‘scouting’ Emre Can as Liverpool contract talks continue

With Emre Can yet to agree an extension to his current Liverpool contract, Serie A giants Juventus are said to be scouting the midfielder.

Can’s deal is set to expire at the end of next season, and has been in talks with the club for a number of months, with no breakthrough made as of yet.

The 22-year-old is believed to be seeking an improvement on the terms Liverpool are offering, and this has led to suggestions he could be sold in the summer if this continues.

If that is the case, Juventus are the most likely to make a move at this stage, with the Turin club regularly linked with Can.

And according to Turkish-Football.com, they have been scouting the midfielder throughout the season, though the extent of their interest remains to be seen.

Furthermore, they intimate that Can is “happy at Liverpool and has settled in well to life in England,” as the player himself has previously stressed.

The veracity of the outlet’s claims, merely citing “a source close to the player,” is questionable, but it would not be beyond the realms of fantasy to suggest Can could leave.

If he does get to the end of the season without agreeing a new deal, Can’s value will only decrease, leaving the Reds to decide whether to initiate his sale to secure a big-money fee.

SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - Monday, January 2, 2017: Liverpool's Emre Can in action against Sunderland during the FA Premier League match at the Stadium of Light. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Can is a hugely important member of Jurgen Klopp‘s first team, however, despite not producing a consistent run of positive form since his return from an ankle problem earlier in the season.

The former Bayern Munich youngster has rarely been left out of the starting lineup when fit, with Klopp opting to omit Georginio Wijnaldum at his expense.

He has struggled to adapt to a new, more progressive role in Klopp’s three-man midfield, however, after dominating in a deeper position in 2015/16, particularly in the Europa League.

Required to support Liverpool’s attack more regularly, Can has been unable to translate this into a tangible end product, despite a run of three goals and one assist in five Premier League games in October and November.

He is clearly favoured by Klopp, however, and has played through injury for much of 2017, as a testimony to how much his manager relies on him in midfield.

While he has yet to make a significant impact this season, seeing Can leave for Juventus would be a major disappointment, as he is a young player with vast potential.

The hope is that Liverpool can come to an agreement with the player and his agent before it’s too late.

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