Liverpool have made their second signing of the summer after agreeing a deal for Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Emre Can. The Reds had been chasing the germany U-21 international but the process was 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.
It is understood that Can will officially join Liverpool on 1 July when all the relevant paperwork can be completed but the player has already signed a contract with the club. Can had a €12m (£9.75m) release clause effective for foreign clubs and it is reported Bayern will receive £1.2million as compensation for waiving their buy-back option.
The 20-year-old midfielder follows former Southampton striker Rickie Lambert, who completed his £4m move on Monday, to Anfield as manager Brendan Rodgers' summer strengthening continues ahead of a UEFA Champions League return next season. A deal for the German progressed significantly on Wednesday when Leverkusen confirmed Liverpool had made an official bid and it was concluded late on Wednesday night.
"Until Tuesday, it was a rumour," Leverkusen chief executive Michael Schade told German newspaper Bild on Wednesday. "Now I can confirm that an official offer from Liverpool is received by mail."
Source: FIFA.com