If Emre Can Joins Juventus, Here Are 3 Realistic Replacements Liverpool Should Go For

Liverpool midfielder Emre Can has emerged as a target for Italian giants Juventus in the ongoing winter transfer window. The Bianconeri lost their midfield mainstay Paul Pogba in the summer when he moved to his former club Manchester United and manager Massimiliano Allegri believes Can could be the ideal long-term replacement in the Juve midfield.

The German midfielder has featured 22 times for Jurgen Klopp’s side this term in all competitions and hasn’t had the best of the seasons, with his recent performances in the middle of the park, drawing some flak from the Liverpool faithful. The 23-year old has scored three times for the Reds and also has two assists against his name, across all competitions.

Can’s current contract with Liverpool runs until the summer of 2018 and with Lucas Leiva also linked with a move away from Anfield, it would be highly unlikely that Klopp would allow Can to leave as well. However, if the player does end up joining the Serie A leaders in January, here are three possible replacements, Liverpool could look to sign:

Franck Kessie

The Atalanta midfielder has earned rave reviews for his outstanding performances this season and as a result has been linked with a host of big clubs with Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Juventus and Liverpool all interested.

The 20-year old, who is currently away on international duty with Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations, has featured 16 times for Atalanta in the Italian top-flight and has scored 6 goals so far, along with one assist. Full of energy and exuberance, Kessie is suited to the role of a box-to-box midfielder and as has been seen this season, can have a meaningful impact on either side of the pitch. A powerhouse in the middle of the park, Kessie possesses a good amount of pace, loves to dribble past opponents and has a keen eye for a pass, leading to comparisons with Yaya Toure.

Kessie’s performances are full of confidence that bely his age and he could provide the energy and the drive for Liverpool in the midfield if Klopp decides to make a move for him.

Mahmoud Dahoud

The Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder was heavily linked with a move to Liverpool in the summer transfer window, but the deal never materialized. However, it has been reported that there is a renewed interest from the Merseysiders along with Barcelona.

Dahoud has appeared 11 times for Gladbach this season in the Bundesliga, and has scored one goal and assisted one more. The 21-year old has created 13 goal-scoring chances for his team going forward and has made 24 crucial interceptions in the defensive half, highlighting his capability to have an impact in either half of the pitch. He also averages a decent 82% pass success-rate from the midfield. A good passer of the ball, a tough tackler and a modicum of concentration in the middle of the park, Dahoud is one of the most promising defensive midfielders in Germany.

Jurgen Klopp is very much aware of the potential Dahoud possesses and hence has targeted the 21-year old since the summer. But now if Can does depart, the transfer could actually happen and Dahoud will only strengthen the Liverpool midfield.

Geoffrey Kondogbia

The Frenchman is reportedly eager to move away from his current club Inter Milan due to the lack of first-team action this season and Liverpool, alongside Chelsea, are reportedly looking capitalize on this situation.

Kondogbia has been pushed down the pecking order behind the likes of Joao Mario and Ever Banega this season, due to which he has featured only 12 times in the Serie A, in which he has managed to register a single assist till now. An excellent pass accuracy of 86% in his 540 attempts to find a teammate gives an idea of his range and precision from the midfield, whereas the fact that he has 33 take-ons so far and comes up trumps 29 times indicates that the 23-year old has great skills with the ball at his feet. An astute tackler and a powerful header of the ball, Kondogbia can run the game from the middle of the park on his day.

Having seen his opportunities reduce with the Nerazzurri, Kondogbia is looking for a transfer and Liverpool and Klopp will be benefited greatly if they manage to sign the French powerhouse.