Emre Can to Juventus? Ex-youth coach Vincenzo Chiarenza backs Liverpool midfielder to complete transfer

Former Juventus youth coach Vincenzo Chiarenza has backed Liverpool midfielder Emre Can to make a switch to Turin.

The German international was a target for the Old Lady earlier in the summer. However, the deal did not take shape and the 23-year-old continued with the Merseyside club. Juventus chief executive Beppe Marotta has revealed his side are still interested in signing the Reds' star.

Can's current deal at Anfield runs down after the end of this season. Liverpool's failure to tie him to a new deal before the end of this calendar year will allow him to negotiate a pre-contract with the clubs outside England.

Jurgen Klopp remains hopeful that Can and Philippe Coutinho can continue at Anfield. That has not stopped the former Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen man being linked with a move away from his current employers.

Chiarenza believes a move to Juventus will help the German midfielder to further develop as a player.

"If Emre Can decides to join a team like Juventus, he would then join one of the most historical Italian and European teams. On the other hand, Liverpool is also a historic club in England," Chiarenza told IBTimes UK.

"Having said that, if Can signs for Juventus, it would help him further develop as a player. A move to Juventus can be good for Can, if you are looking at the long-term benefit."

According to the Italian publication Tuttosport (via the Mirror), Juventus are not the only club interested in signing Can. His former club Bayern and Liverpool's league rivals Manchester City are also believed to be interested in signing the Reds midfielder.

Another Italian publication Calciomercato claims that Pep Guardiola's side are willing to supersede Juventus contract offer of €5m-a-year (£4.45m, $5.9m) in order to bring Can to the Etihad.

Juventus are third in the Serie A table with 31 points after 13 games, four points behind league leaders Napoli. In the Champions League, they are second in the group table with eight points after five games. They lead third-place Sporting by a point and trail group leaders Barcelona by three points.

Chiarenza believes the strengthening of other Italian teams has made Serie A more competitive this season, which is why the Turin club have not enjoyed a good start to the season this campaign.

"Juventus is still in the contention to win the domestic and European competitions. I can say that the mixed start is down to having Inter, Napoli, AS Roma and Lazio being very competitive as this season," he explained.