Liverpool’s continued interest in Bayer Leverkusen’s Emre Can is set to pay off, with Stefan Klüttermann of the Rheinischen Post reporting that the German side expect him to join Liverpool in the near future.
Leverkusen are apparently braced for a €12 million bid that they would find almost impossible to reject. It would be more than double what they paid Bayern Munich for him only a summer ago.
The versatile player, who can operate both in midfield and across the entire back line, would be an invaluable addition to a Reds squad gearing up for the heavy test of a Champions League campaign.
Brendan Rogers’ close relationship with Can’s agent has apparently aided the swift nature of this business.
He would likely be seen as a successor to Gerrard in the deep-lying playmaker role, given both his talents and his young age, and Gerrard’s relative inexperience in the role. Gerrard, however, did operate well when played there this season, so the future may be in mind when discussing Can’s role.
Having represented Germany at most youth levels, Can hopes to find his way into their national side in the near future, eschewing his Turkish ancestry. A move to the Premier League would possibly improve his chances, especially given the level Liverpool seek to operate at going forward.