Borussia Dortmund join race to sign Liverpool's Emre Can
Can is out of contract at the end of the season and could sign a pre-contract with a club outside England from 1 January.
Borussia Dortmund are the latest European club to join the race for Liverpool midfielder Emre Can and could offer him a route back into the Bundesliga, according to latest reports.
Since moving to the Premier League from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2014, the Germany international has developed into a key player for Jurgen Klopp's side, but his contract runs out at the end of the season and he appears unlikely to commit to a new long-term deal at Anfield.
According to The Times, Dortmund have shown an interest in Can, who will be allowed start negotiating pre-contracts with clubs outside England from 1 January, as they look to sign a holding midfielder, a position the 23-year-old has previously described as his favourite.
The German outfit could steal a march on their rivals as Can's agent, Reza Fazeli, is well linked with Dortmund, as he represents the club's manager Peter Bosz and midfielders Mahmoud Dahoud and Nuri Sahin.
The midfielder has also been heavily linked with a move to Italian giants Juventus , as the impasse surrounding his deal continues to linger on.
Liverpool have been desperately trying to reach an agreement with Can, but have failed to make a breakthrough thus far. Earlier this month, it emerged the main stumbling block was not about the wages but the player's demand to insert a release clause in his contract.
The Merseyside club's hierarchy are unwilling to give into his demands as even Philippe Coutinho's new contract, which he signed last season, does not have that option.
Juventus reportedly submitted a £22.6m bid for the German international in the summer before eventually signing Blaise Matuidi from Paris Saint-Germain, but the Frenchman's arrival has not quelled their desire to sign the German.
The Serie A giants could try to sign Can for a cut-price deal in January or strike a pre-contract agreement with the Germany international ahead of a summer switch.
However, last week, Bianconeri chief executive Giuseppe Marotta revealed the Serie A champions have no plans to sign anyone during the winter transfer window.
Bayern Munich are also monitoring Can's circumstances and could have an advantage as the midfielder came through the ranks at the Allianz Arena before moving to Leverkusen in 2013.
Naby Keita's arrival from RB Leipzig this coming summer would soften the blow of Can's prospective departure, but Klopp still believes there is a chance the Germany international could be convinced to pen a new deal.
"It's also allowed to sign a contract in May, even with a player who is still already here," Klopp said earlier this month. "I have no problem with that. As long as Emre doesn't give me one sign that his mind is elsewhere then there's no problem."
Despite the rumours surrounding his future, Can has already made 15 appearances across all competitions this season, contributing with three goals and two assists.
