Two players out-of-contract this summer have their futures very much in focus early in this UEFA Champions League season.
Liverpool’s Emre Can and Schalke’s Leon Goretzka are no strangers to the transfer rumor mill, and both players can sign pre-contracts with new homes in January.
The BBC, citing Tuttosport, says Manchester United has joined the pursuit of Goretzka, a race reportedly being contested by Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Juventus.
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The 6-foot-2 midfielder, 22, has an Olympic silver medal to go with a Confederations Cup and 10 caps.
If Goretzka finds his way to Juventus, the Schalke man could meet a new teammate in fellow German midfielder Can.
The 23-year-old is yet to sign a new deal at Anfield, and Juventus CEO Beppe Marotta wants him in Turin. Marotta does not expect Liverpool to allow a sale in January, but hopes to sign him to a pre-contract around that time.