Germany’s midfielder Emre Can has told German outlet Kicker that it was an “honour” to receive a contract offer from Juventus in the summer – the Reds fans have taken his admission as a sign that he will face the exit door at Anfield.
The Bayern Munich’s academy gradute’s bombshell comes at a time when Liverpool have made no progress in their bid to tie him down to a new contract.
It has been reported that Liverpool and Emre Can remain locked in a stand-off in which Jurgen Klopp’s side risk losing the midfielder nothing next summer.
The Reds boss’ public stance is that he hopes a compromise can be achieved but his compatriot can sign a pre-contract with a foreign club in the January transfer window.
The confirmed interest of Serie A champions Juventus is a concern for Liverpool supporters, who are aware of the pulling power of the team who reached last season’s Champions League final.
Fans have taken the German’s latest quotes in his native Germany as a sign that he is set to face the exit door at Anfield three years after joining from Borussia Dortmund.
Football Weeks has rounded up some of the best tweets from Liverpool fans about Emre Can latest quotes:
F/W’s view
https://twitter.com/AlexBlow15/status/917362370988728321
https://twitter.com/Akash_LFC/status/917365438799114244
Losing Can is one thing but losing him on a free would hurt even more #LFC
— Virgil Van Keita* (@LFCCanuck) October 9, 2017
https://twitter.com/brettaishere/status/917383712198811649
https://twitter.com/ThisIsMSZ/status/917387260693143553
https://twitter.com/Liverpool_App/status/917387978376466432
Emre Can says it was an honour to be linked with Juventus last summer. If #lfc don’t pull their finger out he’s gone this summer
— Aaron Cawley (@AaronCawley81) October 9, 2017
There will be concern at the Anfield as well as in the boardroom that an agreement is yet to be reached with Emre Can over a fresh deal. The German can be an infuriating figure, with his superb ability to shoot from distance, any distance, and hold on to the ball for too long particular gripes among the Anfield faithful. However, the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder can handle the midfield in a way which Georginio Wijnaldum and Jordan Henderson cannot.
Can is also young, with his best years ahead of him and, once he grows to fully understand his role, can be a mighty fine central midfielder. Liverpool have done much to develop Can, and should do all they can to reach a contract compromise. To lose him for nothing next summer would be foolhardy and deliver an underwhelming statement about the club’s ambition.