Liverpool could lose Emre Can this summer with his contract set to expire in June.
Liverpool’s transfer strategy has been heavily criticised in recent years, but the club’s progress under Jurgen Klopp has proved their buy-young-sell-high approach can be successful if they get the right players in.
Still, the loss of Emre Can on a free transfer, which is looking more and more likely, would be hugely damaging to this model. To buy a young player and put in all the hard work developing them, but then let them leave to one of Europe’s elite for free as they enter their prime is the worst outcome possible.
Juventus CEO Giuseppe Marotta told Sky Sport Italia this week that there will be plenty of clubs interested in Can's services, including the Old Lady.
One thing is for sure. If Can does leave, the incoming Naby Keita should not be the replacement - he should be an addition to the replacement. Here are three players the Reds should be looking at.
Jorginho, Napoli
Jorginho wouldn’t be a like-for-like replacement for Can, but the midfielder has been linked with the Reds. The 26 year-old is valued at £25.20million on Transfermarkt and has proved himself as one of Europe’s elite deep lying playmakers at Napoli. Averaging more than 90 passes per game and 2.3 successful long balls per game, Jorginho could have the eye for a pass needed when the Reds face deep-lying teams. A midfield trio of Jorginho, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain would be something to behold.
Victor Wanyama, Spurs
According to reports, Wanyama has emerged as a potential target for Manchester United, but Liverpool should be sniffing around this one too. The Kenyan international doesn’t offer the same box-to-box influence as Can, but is solid defensively in a position where Liverpool aren’t blessed with defensive-minded players. He has Premier League experience and could be looking for a way out at Spurs as his playing time decreases. The 26 year-old has started just twice in the Premier League this season - although injuries have left him sidelined for much of the campaign.
Arturo Vidal, Bayern Munich
A move for Vidal may be slightly over ambitious, and signing the 30 year-old would certainly go against the Liverpool transfer model, but his playing time has reduced this season and his contract runs out in 2019. The Chilean, valued at £31.50million by Transfermarkt, would provide and immediate boost in quality to Liverpool’s starting 11 and is the type of signing that would show the Reds are serious about competing with Manchester City. Averaging more than three tackles, two shots and four successful long balls per match in the league this season, Vidal wouldn’t just be a replacement for Can - he would be an upgrade.