Top 5 replacements for Emre Can

Following rumours linking the midfielder with a Juventus move earlier this summer and continuing contract-renewal issues, Emre Can is thought to be heading for the Liverpool exit door at the end of the season. It is believed that the German has refused the notion of a release clause being inserted into his contract.

Consequently, it appears that Can sees his future elsewhere, although he would likely hope that he is to have more success in the pursuit of a move away than team-mate Philippe Coutinho, whose expected switch to Barcelona this season never materialised.

RB Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita has already agreed to sign for the Merseyside club next year, whilst Leicester City tabled a bid of £13 million during the summer for James Milner, only for the midfielder to stay at the club. Keita is looking increasingly attacking-orientated and if Milner were to leave at the end of the season, Liverpool would be left with just Jordan Henderson as an obvious, first-team holding midfielder.

Here's a look at five potential midfield targets Liverpool may look to target if Can is to depart...

1) Leon Goretzka - FC Schalke 04

Goretzka is one of FC Schalke's key players

In a potential 'one German for another' deal, dynamic midfielder Leon Goretzka could be the idyllic replacement for Emre Can. With the 22-year-old out of contract in 2018, Liverpool could even snap up the young talent for nothing.

Tall, intelligent with the ball and dangerous at set-pieces, Goretzka is a player who could fit Jurgen Klopp's high-pressing game. He has been in fine form for both club and country this year, alerting many clubs such as Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Manchester United. The Reds face stiff competiton for Goretzka's signature, but Jurgen Klopp's influence could prove to be the decisive factor, if Liverpool make a move. It would be a brilliant recoup for the Reds if they were to land Goretzka for free next summer.

2) Sergej Milinkovic-Savic - SS Lazio

Milinkovic-Savic is among the hottest prospects in Serie A at present

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is drawing attention from various clubs across Europe. It is rumoured that Liverpool even submitted a bid of €28 million last summer, but were forced to withdraw their interest after Lazio demanded €70 million for the Serbian midfielder.

The former Genk midfielder signed for Lazio in 2015 and has made 69 appearances for the White and Sky blues, having scored seven times during the process.

Milinkovic-Savic boasts a terrific engine and has an eye for goal too. Standing at 6'3", the 22-year-old would prove the perfect solution for the Reds, who would lack height and physicality in the middle if Can were to leave.

His agent has already confirmed that Savic is happy at Lazio and is very unlikely to leave in the near future. If Jurgen Klopp were to match Lazio's demands however, the 22-year-old's loyalty would certainly be put to the test.

3) Jean Michaël Seri - OGC Nice

Jean Michaël-Seri nearly made the switch to FC Barcelona this summer

Seri looked like he would be off in the summer transfer window when many European clubs expressed interest in the Ivorian midfielder. His move to Barcelona collapsed at the last moment when Nice general manager Julien Fournier claimed the Ligue 1 club hadn't "set a price for Seri". The 26-year-old midfielder was, understandably, not best pleased.

The deep-lying midfielder can also be deployed as an excellent playmaker and the versatile middle-man registered nine assists last season en route to Nice's Champions League Playoffs qualification.

Unrivalled versatility coupled with good attacking qualities render Seri one of the most explosive and industrious midfielders across the continent at present. Liverpool could too deem this a slightly easier option to pursue, given that Nice's demands are well in their price range at approximately €40 million.

4) Adrien Rabiot - PSG

Adrien Rabiot has long been an admirer of Liverpool

The PSG graduate has expressed his desire to play outside Ligue 1 in the future and also added that he would love to play for Liverpool one day. Adrien Rabiot is a life-long Steven Gerrard admirer and would like to follow in his idol's foot-steps by joining Jurgen Klopp at Anfield. Having made 174 appearances and having notched 19 goals in the process, Rabiot is a young but well-rounded talent, rightly valued highly by the club from the French capital.

His fruitful lay-off passes and high level hold-up play, along with his towering height and out-muscling capabilities have rendered Rabiot a regular starter under Unai Emery at PSG. Arsenal and Tottenham have been keen on Rabiot for some time, but there's evidence to suggest that Liverpool would be the youngster's preferred destination.

5) Danilo Pereira - FC Porto

Danilo Pereira is a defensive master for FC Porto

Liverpool's existing issues at the back are as much down to the lack of an out-and-out defensive midfielder as a shoddy back-line. Henderson especially has come under scrutiny from the Liverpool faithful for failing to do the basics right and break down opposition possession.

Therefore, if it is an explosive, strong and primarily defensively-focused midfielder that Liverpool and Klopp want then they should look no further than Porto's Pereira.

Danilo is a powerful central midfielder, capable of getting from one box to another quickly and efficiently. He is the unsung hero of Porto, who likes to dictate the game, sitting back and protecting the defence.

The 26-year-old is in his peak and if Porto are to resume their tradition of selling top starlets for big bucks, now would be the time to do so.