Emre Can has told German publication Kicker that it was an “honour” to receive a contract offer from Juventus in the summer – and Liverpool fans have taken his admission as a sign that he will quit Anfield.
Can’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 the two parties remain locked in a stand-off in which the Merseyside giants risk losing the midfielder for nothing next summer.
Jurgen Klopp’s public stance is that he hopes a compromise can be achieved but the Germany international can sign a pre-contract with a foreign club in the January transfer window.
The confirmed interest of Serie A giants Juventus is a concern for the Liverpool faithful, who recognise the pulling power of the team who reached last season’s Champions League final.
Supporters have taken Can’s latest quotes in his native Germany as a sign that he is set to leave Anfield three years after joining from Borussia Dortmund.
This Is Futbol has rounded up some of the best tweets:
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
— TheMoanyOne (@TheMoanyOne) October 9, 2017
Emre Can’s latest quotes suggest he’s probably leaving LFC https://t.co/7NF81Uj5Gu #lfc pic.twitter.com/oKvYhH8UdH
— Liverpool Fan App (@Liverpool_App) October 9, 2017
Can see why Emre doesn’t want to sign a new contract with #LFC. With Naby Keita coming in, he probably won’t get much appearances.
— MSZ (@ThisIsMSZ) October 9, 2017
If Can goes he can take Henderson with him. #LFC
— Brett Alexander (@brettaishere) October 9, 2017
Losing Can is one thing but losing him on a free would hurt even more #LFC
— #Keita2018 (@LFCCanuck) October 9, 2017
If Can wants to leave and refuses to sign by January, unfortunately we gotta sell him and use his money to get Rabiot. #LFC #LIVERPOOL
— Akash (@Akash_LFC) October 9, 2017
Emre Can has been mostly pants this season, but you just know if he went to Juve he’d become absolutely class. #LFC
— Blow (@AlexBlow15) October 9, 2017
OPINION
There will be concern on the terraces as well as in the boardroom that an agreement is yet to be reached with Can over a new deal. The German can be an infuriating figure, with his tendency to shoot from distance, any distance, and hold on to the ball for too long particular gripes among the Anfield faithful. But the 23-year-old can hit the heights of central midfield domination in a way which Georginio Wijnaldum and Jordan Henderson cannot match. He 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.