Bayer Leverkusen have confirmed that Liverpool have made a bid for Germany under-21 international Emre Can.
Earlier on Wednesday a source told ESPN FC that the Premier League runners-up, who are looking to bolster their squad as they prepare for a return to the Champions League, had made contact with the Bundesliga club about the 20-year-old.
Now that has been confirmed by Leverkusen chief executive Michael Schade. He told Bild: "Until Tuesday, it was a rumour. Now I can confirm that an official offer from Liverpool is received by mail.''
Can scored four goals in 39 appearances for Leverkusen last season after signing from Bayern Munich, and was managed by former Liverpool defender Sami Hyypia for much of his time at the BayArena.
Bayern have a buy-back clause for the player, but German publications kicker and Bild have both reported that Leverkusen are free to sell him to a club in another country under the terms of his contract. Express and Bild both report that he has a release clause set in the region of 12 million euros.
Can has played for Germany at every youth level and first made his mark at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico three years ago, with the team's coach, Steffen Freund, lavishing praise on the Frankfurt-born midfielder.
"Emre is the most complete under-17 player I have seen in my entire career, and I have seen many," Freund said. "He has what it takes to make it to the top."
While there are still question marks over his distribution, Can has proved highly adaptable, operating at left-back as well as in holding midfield, and he drew praise for his performances as Leverkusen overcame a mid-season crisis to secure fourth place in the Bundesliga.
Liverpool have already made one signing since the season finished, bringing in striker Rickie Lambert from Southampton for an initial four million pounds.
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