Emre Can in action for Liverpool (Getty)

Juventus will open talks with Liverpool midfielder Emre Can in January, according to reports in Italy.

The Italian champions have identified the Germany international as an ideal recruit and will begin making concrete in-roads on securing his signature after the turn of the year.

The midfielder has less than 12 months remaining on his current deal at Anfield, which means Liverpool will be unable to stop the 23-year-old from holding talks with other clubs about a pre-contract.

Tuttosport report Juventus’ interest with the club’s general manager, Beppe Marotta, quoted as saying: ‘We have already said several times we intend to start formal negotiations with the Germany international in January.’

Corriere dello Sport have gone as far as reporting Can will sign a pre-contract with Juventus in January.

Emre Can in action during the 4-0 win over Arsenal (Getty)

If the former Bayer Leverkusen player were to leave Merseyside it would be a huge loss for Liverpool. The midfielder quickly became a regular in the side and has shown increasing influence in the team following the arrival of Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.

It’s possible Liverpool could opt to sell the player in January rather than let him leave for free at the end of the season, however they are expected to hold on to him for as long as they can.

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