Liverpool agree deal on Emre Can

LONDON. — Liverpool have agreed a deal in principle for the signing of Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Emre Can for £9,75 million.
Reds boss Brendan Rodgers has moved swiftly to follow up the £4m acquisition of Rickie Lambert, after activating Can’s release clause. Liverpool will pay £9,75m for Can, with the deal subject to documentation being completed.

The move was initially held up by complications associated with a buy-back clause Bayern Munich inserted into the deal which took the 20-year-old to Leverkusen for £4,4m 12 months ago.

But Can is officially set to become a Liverpool player on July 1 when the summer transfer window opens, having signed a contract with the Anfield club.

Reports suggest Bayern will receive £1,2m as compensation for waiving their buy-back option.

A Liverpool statement said: “A versatile German youth international, the Frankfurt-born midfielder made 29 Bundesliga appearances last season, scoring three goals.

“His contributions helped Leverkusen finish fourth and secure Champions League qualification, having joined the club from Bayern Munich last summer.

“Can clocked up seven appearances in Europe’s elite competition during 2013-14, and has previously played at the European Under-21 Championship and the Under-17 World Cup.

“The news follows the announcement on Monday of England striker Rickie Lambert as the Reds’ first signing of the summer transfer window.”

Leverkusen chief executive Michael Schade added: “Emre Can has developed very quickly at Bayer 04 Leverkusen over the past 12 months.

“We wanted to keep Emre at Leverkusen but the release clause is part of his contract. So we wish him all the best and lots of success in his time in the English Premier League.”

Meanwhile, Liverpool have submitted development plans to increase their stadium capacity to 58 800.

Should their council grant permission, the Reds hope to complete construction at Anfield in time for the 2016-17 season.

“If consent is granted, the proposals would see the capacity of a new Main Stand rise by 8 500, taking it to nearly 21 000,” read a statement on the club’s official website.

“The outline proposals for the Anfield Road stand provide for an increase in its capacity of around 4,800 seats, taking the total stadium capacity to 58 800.

“The Main Stand would open onto a wide public space which has been designed to link the stadium and park while creating an area which is relevant and usable to the local community, particularly on non-matchdays. — The Daily Express.