- Juventus could include Marko Pjaca in offer for Emre Can
- Can in final year of current Liverpool contract and could leave on a free transfer
- Pjaca signed for Juventus in July 2016
- SEE MORE: Southampton boss drops thinly-veiled Virgil van Dijk update
Juventus are threatening signs of launching a determined attempt to lure Emre Can to Italy when the German’s contract expires at Liverpool.
The midfielder has entered the final year of his current deal, triggering a countdown to a potential opportunity to swipe him from the Reds on a cut-price deal.
Can’s refusal to sign an extension has stretched from the beginning of the year, with a wage dispute and a disagreement over the addition of a release clause proving to be significant obstacles in already-delayed negotiations.
Juventus are believed to be leading the race for the 23-year-old, although the emergence of fresh competition for Can could see clubs begin to seek deals as early as January.
The Serie A giants are considering including winger Marko Pjaca as part of their offer for Can, according to Italian outlet Tuttosport.
Juventus could include Marko Pjaca as part of a deal to sign Emre Can from Liverpool. [Tuttosport, ESPN] pic.twitter.com/TLDhGtIh8u
— Forza Juventus (@ForzaJuve2017) December 27, 2017
There remains hope on Merseyside that an agreement could still be reached between Can and Liverpool, despite talks having broken down in recent months.
After a lacklustre spell midway through the 2016/2017 season, Can has since asserted himself as a prominent figure in Jurgen Klopp’s setup and played a leading role in helping the Reds qualify for the Champions League.
Though his form of late has dipped somewhat, the majority of fans are keen to see the former Bayer Leverkusen stay put ahead of Naby Keita’s eagerly-anticipated arrival from RB Leipzig in July 2018.
Pjaca is highly-regarded in Turin and has been tipped as a future regular for the Old Lady since his €23million move from Dinamo Zagreb in 2016.
Klopp is never one to overlook further attacking reinforcements, but it’s unlikely the Croatian will serve as a significant aspect of the proposed bid for Can.
With Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain at his disposal, the Reds’ boss certainly won’t be prioritising strengthening the wide areas.