Liverpool midfielder Emre Can looks to have taken a step closer to the Anfield exit door and a summer move away from the club as the Germany international has agreed terms with Italian giants Juventus.
Can is entering the final six months of his Reds deal after failing to come to an agreement with the club over a contract extension.
The 23-year-old has his heart set on a move to Turin to play in the centre of the Juve midfield, and has come to an agreement with the Italian side which will see him make the switch to Serie A in the summer, as report Italian sports outlet Tuttosport.
Juve may be tempted to make a formal offer to Liverpool for the player in January, in order to tempt the Reds with a vastly reduced fee – though this remains to be seen.
If not, the Old Lady only have to wait until the summer before taking the player on a free – a move which will leave a sour taste in the mouths of Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group.
The policy of the hierarchy has always been to acquire young talent who will mature and enhance the team as a result, before either pledging their future to the club or leaving for a large profit.
Initial talks with the player and his representatives are believed to have broken down following Liverpool’s refusal to insert a realistic buy-out clause into his contract.
Can has developed year upon year on Merseyside since his £10million move from Bayer Leverkusen in July 2014.
The German’s market value has at least trebled since his Premier League switch, though Liverpool are now poised to see the powerful midfielder leave without a penny coming back into the club.
