Liverpool midfielder Emre Can has come out insisting that the delay in contract negotiations is not because of money. Earlier, it was believed that Can was holding out for a pay rise close to £100,000-a-week, but now, the player has spoken out saying the contract talks isn’t about money at all.

Emre Can enters the final year of his contract next season and Liverpool risk losing him for free at the end of next season. If at all Can decides not to sign an extension with the club, then Liverpool might have to cash in on him this summer and sell him off in order to cut the losses.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Can said: “I read in newspapers it was about money, but it isn’t about money. We’ve had a few good meetings and everything is fine. I just wanted to say it is never about the money. It is about the future, what happens.

“You never know what will happen in football, but I am happy here. We will speak in the next few weeks and months and see what happens. The meetings are with my agent, but I am very happy at Liverpool. In the future, I can play for many years at Liverpool.”

Emre Can has struggled for form since the start of the season and has finally found his touch after his impressive performances against Arsenal and Burnley, in the absence of his captain Jordan Henderson. He scored an absolute stunner against Burnley to earn his side all three points and has denied claims that contract talks were affecting his performances.

He said: “No, that was not the reason. The last few months the most important thing has been that I am pain-free and we have spoken more about that than the contract.

“I’ve had calf problems for many years and it has been very difficult for me – 10 minutes into the game I’ve not been able to feel my feet in a few games – but I didn’t like to go to the press and say, ‘I am injured’.

“Maybe it was not good that I played and did not have a break. I didn’t play well when it was my opportunity to play and it was my mistake. I play in a different position now and I don’t sprint too much. When I play at [number] eight I have to go forward and sprint more; when I play at six I don’t have to sprint too much.

“I feel good at the moment. I have to come back to the old Emre because when I am fit I know what I am able to do and I am confident enough to know I can play much better than in the past,” he added.

Emre Can would surely benefit by signing a contract extension with Liverpool as the club looks in great shape moving forward. Now that he has denied money being the problem, it would be safe to assume that he probably wants assurance over his role at the club on the longer run.

It would be interesting to see if he ends up at Liverpool or elsewhere.