Emre Can set to leave Liverpool for free next summer as new contract talks reach deadlock

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Emre Can is almost certain to leave Liverpool next summer with talks over a new deal having reached deadlock.

Liverpool first approached the Germany international, who scored the second goal in Wednesday's 3-0 win over Maribor, about signing a new contract in June 2016 but for all the discussions that have taken place it has reached the point where there appears to be no solution.

Can has gone on record on several occasions this year to say the impasse has nothing to do with him wanting to squeeze more money out of Liverpool.

Emre Can is almost certain to leave Liverpool next summer with new deal talks in deadlock

Sportsmail reported in September that the stand-off was down to the 23-year-old wanting a release clause in the terms.

That is something to which Liverpool have refused to agree; they never put such a clause in Philippe Coutinho's deal when he re-signed last January and will not make any special dispensation in this case for Can.

It means, though, that Can will be able to start negotiating with clubs on the continent in 58 days about signing a pre-contract.

The biggest concern for Liverpool, however, is that they are now likely to lose a multi-million asset next summer without recouping a penny.

Can has been at the club since 2014 and scored in the 3-0 win over Maribor on Wednesday

The contract stand-off has been down to the player's insistence on a release clause

Juventus have been persistently linked with Can, whom Liverpool signed from Bayer Leverkusen in June 2014, while Bayern Munich have also been watching the situation of a player who came through their Academy system.

Jurgen Klopp regards Can as an important member of his squad and he was fully-prepared to let him go into this season and depart on Bosman, rather than trying to recoup some finance last summer and selling him with 12 months to go.

For the moment, Can's priority is helping Liverpool reach the knockout stages of the Champions League and hopes they will make sure of their place on Matchday five in Sevilla before Spartak Moscow arrive at Anfield in December.

Georginio Wijnaldum is hopeful that the ankle issue he picked up this week is not serious

'We are in a very good position,' said Can. 'But we have two tough games and we want to try and win them to be in the Champions League next year.'

Georginio Wijnaldum, meanwhile, is hopeful that the ankle issue that forced him off after 17 minutes against Maribor is not as serious as first anticipated

While it is unlikely he will play against West Ham on Saturday, he is not on crutches and is awaiting results of a scan.