Liverpool have been involved in a contract stand-off with midfielder Emre Can. It has been widely reported that the midfielder may be sold in the summer rather than risk losing for nothing in the summer of 2018. The player’s contract runs out in just over 12 months. He has been unable to come to an agreement with Liverpool due to differences in wages. Can is reportedly demanding around £100,000 per week, citing interest from clubs like Juventus in order to show the club that he is worth this figure. However, Liverpool’s reluctance to increase the wages of a player, who is largely seen as a team member rather than a superstar, is quite apparent.
The risk of losing a player who still has his best years ahead of him is the obvious danger. At just 23 years of age, Can has the potential to go on and achieve bigger things. Losing out on his talent right now would be a disaster thing for Liverpool, especially considering that they paid just €12 million for his signature back in 2014. The midfielder is easily worth twice the figure if he had a long-term position on his contract. Now, Liverpool will be able to get only around € 10 million for his signature. Rather than selling for €10 million, the club may be interested in the possibility of extending his new deal.
Guardian reports that the club are not looking to sell the player. The wages alone do not seem to be the issue when it comes to signing the new contract. It seems that the players not happy with being played in a more advanced role. This calls for much more sprints, and he has been blaming the different position as a reason for the several calf injuries that he has suffered since the arrival of Jurgen Klopp. This season, he has missed eight matches for the club just as he did last season. The 2015-16 season is the only campaign in which he featured in more than 45 appearances across all competitions. He has only averaged around 40 appearances in the rest of the seasons.
Liverpool are certainly in a strong position when it comes to convincing Can to stay at the club. Only a few months ago, the probability of qualifying for the Champions League looked in major doubt. However, the club are now looking set to finish in the top four and qualify for Champions League for the first time in three seasons. The availability of this premier European competition would help convince Can to stay at Anfield.
