Three Replacements For Emre Can Who Liverpool Can Target
Liverpool FC and Germany international midfielder Emre Can has been in the midst of a contract standoff with the Reds for a while now and is now reportedly gearing up to leave the Merseyside club next summer.
The 23-year-old has long been linked with Italian side Juventus and could end up moving to the Serie A at the end of this season. Reports indicate that the German wants a release clause in his contract, which Liverpool are not keen on, as they hope to have him in Klopp’s long-term plans.
Emre Can might have seen enough from Philippe Coutinho’s summer drama involving Barcelona, which could have led to his insistence on a release clause. Liverpool have already signed New Guinea international midfielder Naby Keita from RB Leipzig and he is expected to join the Reds at the end of the season.
While Keita’s addition is a great move from Liverpool, the impending departure of Emre Can would leave the squad weak in the midfield. Liverpool will need a proper No.6 in case the German does choose to leave the club in the summer.
Let’s take a look at three players who could replace Emre Can at Liverpool.
Adrien Rabiot
The 22-year-old French midfielder is one of Ligue 1’s rising stars and has managed to make a regular appearance in the PSG’s first team over the years. Rabiot recently revealed that he had been a supporter of the club since his childhood. The Frenchman is also said to be a huge admirer of Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard and hopes to emulate his success in the future.
Rabiot has already made 12 appearances for PSG in the Ligue 1 this season and has firmly booked a place for himself in the senior team. Rabiot is excellent at hold-up play and has an excellent eye for a pass. His tall frame will come extremely handy in the Premier League given the physicality of the league.
Given that he is only 22, Rabiot will have the opportunity to develop under Jurgen Klopp and fulfill his huge potential.
Leon Goretzka
There probably isn’t a better-suited replacement for Emre Can than this 22-year-old German international at the moment. Goretzka, who is coincidentally in his final year of the contract too with FC Schalke, could join the Reds for free next summer if the Merseyside club show some interest in the player.
Standing tall at 6′ 2″, the German midfielder is strong and has a physical presence on the pitch. Not only is he a midfield powerhouse but also has an eye for goal. Goretzka already has 4 goals in 9 appearances for Schalke this season and is also a major threat from set pieces.
But Liverpool could find stiff competition from Bayern Munich, who are also said to be interested in signing the youngster.
Amine Harit
Perhaps the only unknown player on the list, this French-born, Moroccan international is making a name for himself in the Bundesliga. The Schalke midfielder is just 19 but is full of potential and can play anywhere across the midfield. He has already made 9 appearances for Schalke this season and can be part of a midfield four or three. His versatility should certainly grab Klopp’s attention, who looks for something like that in all his players.