Real Madrid have reportedly entered the race to sign Emre Can from Liverpool after the end of the season.
The German, whose £55,000-a-week contract expires in June, has shown very little hunger for agreeing to a new deal at the club. He is set to move out of Anfield but the Reds have not given up hope of negotiating a new deal with Can, who remains an integral part of Jurgen Klopp’s first-team this season.
As the midfielder has entered his final 5 months of his contract, he is eligible to have talks with foreign clubs and sign a pre-contract agreement ahead of new season.
As per La Gazzetta dello Sport, Juventus remain the front-runners to sign Can after the expiry of his contract at the Merseyside.
The Italian giants have provided the midfielder with a deadline to make a decision over his future, which is next week. It is believed that Juventus are prepared to offer Can a huge five-year contract that would see him become a key member of their squad.
The report adds that Real Madrid are also interested in the prospect of signing the German midfielder on a free transfer.
Real are currently suffering a disappointing league campaign and Zinedine Zidane has given up hopes of title aspirations. They remain on course to finish in the top-four but as things stand, they are nowhere close to arch-rivals Barcelona, who are ruling the league.
It comes as no surprise to see two of Europe’s elites, Juventus and Real Madrid, vying for Can’s signature. Such has been the 24-year-old’s meteoric rise this season. The German international is a vital cog in Liverpool’s machine and scored his 6th goal of the season in the 4-1 win over West Ham at the weekend.
Klopp has constantly shown faith in the midfielder and despite being so young, he has been handed the armband a number of times. Can has repaid the manager’s faith by dishing out some top performances this campaign. Our gaffer remains confident that the club will be able to agree on a new deal with Can, even if it happens in the final weeks of his contract expiry in the summer.
However, Real see Can as a long-term investment and are prepared to offer a lucrative contract, which has left Juventus frustrated.
The Can saga would come to fruition in the summer; until then, it is wise for the player and team to be focused on continuing the good work.
