Juventus midfielder Emre Can would turn down a January move to Everton or Manchester United, according to Calciomercato.
The German has emerged as a potential player for Director of Football Marcel Brands to target this month, with boss Carlo Ancelotti so far resigned to using a severely limited clutch of players in the core of his plans at Goodison Park.
Reports over the weekend claimed Ancelotti was keen to bring Can back to Merseyside following his spell at Anfield with Liverpool, and that a dramatic £30million pursuit could be on the cards.
Can has been informed by Juve head coach Maurizio Sarri that he is surplus to requirements in Turin, and will once again be omitted from the Old Lady’s Champions League squad ahead of facing Olympique Lyonnais in February.
The 26-year-old had helped Bayern Munich to win UEFA’s premier competition in 2013 before leaving the Bavarian powerhouse that summer, and has since added a Serie A crown and Italian Super Cup to his trophy cabinet which already featured a Confederations Cup, German Cup, German Super Cup and a Bundesliga winners medal.
Can is widely sought-after this month, despite no longer being deemed needed at the Allianz Stadium, with Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund also said to have identified the central midfielder as a potential option to sign.
However, PSG have not yet offered a sum that would appeal to Juve and BVB are yet to present a bid that even warrants consideration in Turin.
Would you have welcomed Can to Goodison Park?
Yes
No
Their faltering pursuits could have be seen as a positive for Brands at Goodison Park, though any hopes of a deal have been dashed as Can would turn down life on the blue side of Stanley Park or at Old Trafford due to his prior Liverpool connections.
Can is still very much attached emotionally to the Anfield natives from his four years there, which featured 167 appearances, 14 goals and 12 assists across all competitions.
Liverpool also reached an FA Cup Semi-Final, EFL Cup Semi-Final, a Europa League Final and a Champions League Final during Can’s years at Anfield, though never lifted a trophy with the German.
Can’s opposition to joining Everton will likely be the final blow in our pursuit, without offering the 26-year-old a contract which far exceeds his current £100,000-per-week deal that sparked an end to Inter Milan’s chase.
The 26-year-old clearly places emotional harmony over playing time, given he has so far only been awarded two starts in eight Serie A appearances this term by Sarri, who has also overlooked the German in Italy’s domestic cup competitions and in the Champions League.
In other Everton news, the club have turned down multiple offers for a £14m Toffees mainstay this month.