- Emre Can will not be leaving Liverpool during January transfer window
- German in final year of current deal and could leave on free in summer
- Juventus supposedly leading race for Can’s signature
- SEE MORE: €95m star chooses Liverpool over Arsenal and Manchester United
Whilst there remains to be uncertainty over the future of Philippe Coutinho at Liverpool, it seems Emre Can will be staying put this month.
The German has long been linked with an Anfield exit in 2018 having entered the final year of his current deal and displayed no signs of putting pen to paper.
Can’s stalling negotiations date back to the beginning of last year, with wage disputes proving to be a tricky obstacle for both the club and player to overcome together.
Liverpool’s more recent refusal to insert Can’s desired release clause has also emerged as a damaging hindrance, causing talks to break down and giving Juventus good reason to step up their pursuit of the 23-year-old.
Despite tenuous suggestions the midfield could leave as early as this winter, Sky Germany’s Marc Behrenbeck has claimed Can won’t be moving to the Serie A giants this January and that he will remain a Red until the end of the season.
Sky Info: emre can wird nicht im Winter zu @juventusfcen wechseln. Der Nationalspieler wird die Saison @LFC zu Ende spielen. @SkySportNewsHD
— Marc Behrenbeck (@Sky_Marc) January 3, 2018
If true, this could grant Liverpool an extended time frame in which to reignite discussions over an extension and perhaps persuade Can to change his stance.
With RB Leipzig’s Naby Keita scheduled to officially join the club on July 1, it would be a shame not to see the Guinean line up alongside Can as part of a pairing Jurgen Klopp had undoubtedly envisioned working with for years to come.
Though consistency has emerged as an issue during his time on Merseyside, Can has showcased his talent often enough to make fighting to keep him worthwhile.
Ongoing speculation surrounding Can’s potential departure has seen Schalke’s Leon Goretzka rise as one of Liverpool’s top targets.
The midfielder is also out of contract in the summer and is currently open to talks with interested clubs regarding a pre-arranged deal.
Recent reports suggesting Bayern Munich have already agreed to sign Goretzka have since proven to be false, with Liverpool believed to be firmly in the chase for the 22-year-old.