Juventus interest in Monaco midfielder Fabinho may scupper Emre Can transfer

Juventus are reportedly preparing to reignite their interest in Monaco midfielder and Manchester United target Fabinho, whose proposed arrival in Turin may prove troublesome for Liverpool's Emre Can.

Massimiliano Allegri's side made "concrete steps" towards the Brazilian's representatives in May, according to Calcio Mercato, but a deal never came to pass as Juve opted instead to use their final non-EU player registration on Douglas Costa, who arrived on loan from Bayern Munich.

The Serie A champions have since made no secret of their desire to sign Germany international Can from Liverpool, be it for a nominal fee in the winter or on a free transfer in the summer.

Can is in the final stages of his contract with the Reds, but Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has not given up all hope of convincing his countryman that his future lies on Merseyside.

Klopp's case to keep Can at Anfield has fallen on deaf ears so far, but the former Bayern youth star may have to reassess his options if Juventus decide to focus their attentions on Fabinho, who was courted by United and Paris Saint-Germain in the summer.

The former right-back, now a commanding presence in the defending Ligue 1 champions' midfield, has been open with his wish to leave the principality at the end of the season and told of his frustration at seeing a summer move fail to materialise, though he insists he is over that particular disappointment.

"Ordinarily, it's my last season at Monaco," Fabinho said. "Nothing is signed. During the transfer window, and even a month afterwards, it was a little difficult to live with the situation. But I don't think about it anymore, I've turned the page."

His comments have predictably not gone unnoticed by Juventus, but the Bianconeri will be reluctant to engage in a bidding war with the likes of United and Atletico Madrid, who are also keen admirers of the Brazilian.

Juve are now keeping a close eye on the 24-year-old but it remains to be seen if the club's hierarchy will abandon their pursuit of Liverpool's Can and focus solely on capturing Fabinho from under the noses of United and Atletico.

A move for the Brazilian would also depend on the futures of Costa and Rodrigo Bentancur, with the former set to stay in Turin for the foreseeable future after Juve activated the £41m ($55.1m) buyout clause in their loan agreement with Bayern.