Ancelotti responds to claims Everton want ex-Liverpool midfielder

Carlo Ancelotti has denied reports that Everton are hoping to sign former Liverpool midfielder Emre Can in the January transfer window. 

The German midfielder played for the Reds between 2014 and 2018, making 167 appearances and scoring 14 goals.

The 26-year-old made his final appearance for Jurgen Klopp’s side in the 2018 Champions League final, coming on as a substitute as Liverpool lost 3-1 to Real Madrid in Kyiv.

In June of that year, Can joined Juventus on a four-year-deal, but has found himself on the fringes of the Italian club’s squad and has played just eight times in the current campaign.

And with Can seemingly not fancied by Maurizio Sarri, it is thought that he will be allowed to leave if he can find a suitor who are willing to meet their valuation of the player – thought to be around £30 million.

Some reports had suggested that Ancelotti, who recently took over at Everton and is looking to put his own stamp on the squad, is interested in bringing Can back to the Premier League, but the Italian manager seems to have put an end to that speculation.

The Liverpool Echo quote him as saying: “I think I said at the last press conference that all the names that were in the newspaper were wrong.

“I can say the same today. They’re wrong. All the names on the newspaper are wrong.

“Also all the names on Sky are wrong!”

Ancelotti did confirm that he is in the market for new recruits, but refused to reveal what type of players he is after.

He said:”I am talking every day with Marcel and we are looking for some targets that we have, some players.

“But I don’t want to say what we need.”

The Toffees have won three and drawn one of their five Premier League games since the former AC Milan and Real Madrid coach took over, and currently sit 11th on the table.

Should they bring in some of Ancelotti’s targets, it would give them a good chance of a strong end to the season which could see them secure European football for 2020/21.