Agent links fuel talk of Bundesliga return for Emre Can

Borussia Dortmund have emerged as serious contenders to sign Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp, according to reports.

The Times report that Dortmund are “monitoring” Can’s contract situation at Anfield, while Sport Bild also claim the Germany midfielder is firmly in the sights of Dortmund.

Can, 23, was a target for Juventus in the summer and they made an approach to sign the player and are expected to make a renewed bid in January, but Dortmund are understood to be looking for a holding midfielder.

Can’s agent, Reza Fazeli, is also the representative of Dortmund coach Peter Bosz as well as midfielders Mahmoud Dahoud and Nuri Sahin and a possible pre-contract agreement has been touted for Can to return to the Bundesliga.

The midfielder’s contract expires in the summer and, although Liverpool are keen to renew his deal, talks are at a stand still with Can insistent on inserting a release clause in his new deal.

Liverpool though are determined to lay out his new deal on their terms and the impasse has alerted Manchester City, according to reports over the weekend.

Jurgen Klopp played down the situation last week and admitted there was “nothing new”.

“I said it a few times, it’s our job to make this club as exciting as possible,” said Klopp.

“It’s allowed that he could sign a contract (with Liverpool) in May. I have no problem with that.

“As long as Emre doesn’t give me one sign that his mind is elsewhere, I don’t have to talk about this. Everything is okay from my side. There is nothing new.

“Now we’ve already talked too much about it. It’s just a normal situation.”

Meanwhile, last week Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes labelled Can a “dynamic and powerful” player, fuelling talk of interest from Bayern.

“There’s always certain criteria when you’re signing a player,” Heynckes said at a Bayern news conference. “I only had Emre Can for a few months. He is a good, young player who has developed well – he is dynamic and powerful.”