Rumour: Liverpool’s move for Bayer Leverkusen’s Emre Can delayed by wage demands

Emre Can (L) of Leverkusen battles for the ball with Kevin Vogt (R) of Augsburg during the Bundesliga match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Augsburg at BayArena

Emre Can’s wage demands are restricting Liverpool’s ability to tie up a deal for the Bayer Leverkesuen midfielder, writes the Liverpool Echo.

The Merseysiders are willing to activate the 20-year-old’s £10 million release clause, but his representatives are said to be holding firm over the proposed personal terms.

Discussions are still ongoing, but Leverkusen are under no pressure to sanction a deal and would rather the German U21 international remained at the BayArena.

Can made the switch to Leverkusen from Bayern Munich last summer in a £4.5 million deal. Although the Bundesliga champions reserve the right to active a buy-back clause that was stipulated in the contract, it is thought that Munich would rather Can remains at Leverkusen for another season.

Since his move to Leverkusen, the combative enforcer has scored three goals in 29 outings, winning 54% of his duels in the centre of the park.

While Can is predominantly a defensive-minded midfielder, he can also deputise at centre-back and left-back – versatility that will no doubt appeal to Brendan Rodgers in light of the extra games that Liverpool will face next season due to their involvement in the Champions League.