Rumour Mongering: Is Emre Can Potentially On His Way Out?

Emre Can has had an up-and-down 2016/17 so far, joining crucial pre-season preparations late after a deep Euro 2016 run with the German national team, picking up an ankle knock early in the campaign and most importantly struggling at times to adapt to new responsibilities in manager, Jürgen Klopp’s revamped system.

Now, the most reliable source for Liverpool news in the ECHO’s James Pearce has hinted that both the midfielder's representatives and the club are having reservations concerning the extension of a deal set to run out in the next 18 months.

Responding to a question as part of a Q&A on Tuesday, Pearce revealed, “I wouldn’t say Emre Can is definitely off but his future is certainly up in the air.”

“He has been stalling over a new contract and clearly believes he’s worth more than Liverpool are offering.

“Hopefully it will be sorted before the end of the season. If he doesn’t sign then it’s likely he will be sold because I can’t see Liverpool letting him enter the final year of his current contract.”

Talk of inquiries from the likes of Juventus for the Liverpool powerhouse coupled with reported Liverpool bids for similar players such as Atalanta’s Franck Kessie potentially imply that options are being explored in the event the two sides are unable to come to an agreement.

Despite recently reaching the 100-appearance mark for the Reds since arriving from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2014, it was only upon Klopp’s appointment early last campaign that the the 23-year-old was given an extended run out in his favored midfield position, going on to become one of the standout performers that season.

He has even gone on to improve his end product this season, registering three goals and an assist through 11 starts in the league.

Nevertheless, there have been questions about whether Can’s skill set fits in with this Klopp’s new-look Liverpool, given his struggles to adapt as quickly as the likes of captain Jordan Henderson.

The ruthless but decisive manner in which Klopp now conducts these new personnel decisions means that we most likely will not have to wait long one way or another.