Emre Can 'emerges as shock target for Manchester City' as Liverpool lose race for midfielder Leon Goretzka to Bayern Munich

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Emre Can has emerged as a transfer target for Manchester City amid protracted interest in the Liverpool midfielder from Serie A giants Juventus.

The Germany international has only six months left to run on his current deal at Anfield and it appears increasingly unlikely he will not sign an extension.

And, according to The Mirror, Pep Guardiola could be interested in prising him away from under the nose of Juve, whose general director has recently vowed they would 'try all they can' to bring him to the San Siro.

Liverpool midfielder Emre Can has emerged as a transfer target for Manchester City

Can's apparent apathy towards moving to Turin, however, has given encouragement to the Premier League leaders.

With the 24-year-old seemingly headed for the Anfield exit, Liverpool's top brass turned their heads towards Schalke midfielder Leon Goretzka.

The Reds, however, lost the battle to the financial clout of German heavyweights Bayern Munich for his signature. 

Liverpool's top brass have turned their heads towards Schalke midfielder Leon Goretzka

Liverpool face an agonising six-month wait until Naby Keita moves from RB Leipzig

The Reds touched base with Goretzka's representatives about the prospect of bringing him to Merseyside but had little encouragement and he could not be dissuaded to leave Germany.

Should Can leave Liverpool then boss Jurgen Klopp will be desperate to seek out a replacement sooner rather than later – or face an agonising six months until Naby Keita makes the move from RB Leipzig in the summer.