Despite completing a £75million deal to make Virgil van Dijk the most expensive centre-back in history at the start of the January transfer window, losing Philippe Coutinho, even for £142million, to Barcelona dealt a huge blow to Liverpool’s plans.
The unexpected exit of the Brazilian has left a bitter taste in the mouths of many fans, and another transfer heartbreak could be on the cards.
Germany international midfielder Emre Can has continued to stall on a contract extension, and could now leave for nothing by summer.
Juventus CEO Beppe Marotta has confirmed that the 24-year-old is set to leave Anfield for the Serie A giants for free next transfer window – another huge blow for Liverpool if it happens.
In the words of the Bundesliga’s club chief: “For sure, he is a great player and the fact that in June he can come at zero cost is a great opportunity for Juventus.
“Still nothing has happened, we have linked contacts that will intensify in the coming weeks.”
“But I exclude that it arrives in January, he would certainly be fine in our midfield and we will do everything to try and get him.”
Losing Can is a big blow on itself, but losing him for free is even a bigger hit, given that he could have been sold for at least £30million last summer.
Liverpool are far from being cash-strapped, but having the aforementioned cash in their transfer kitty ahead of the coming transfer window would have been a huge boost.
The club’s transfer committee could do well avoiding unnecessary mistakes as regards outgoing transfers going forward.
