Liverpool have already lost one their star players during this transfer window and they’re doing everything they can to prevent another one from leaving.

That’s because Emre Can has just six months remaining on his current deal and can sign a pre-contract agreement with any overseas club ahead of a free transfer in the summer.

It seemed as though it was a straight choice between staying at Liverpool and moving to Juventus - who have been sniffing around for months.

However, it seems it’s a bit more complicated than that.

The Mirror are now reporting that a Premier League club have just joined the race - Manchester City.

They say Pep Guardiola has expressed an interest in the German and hope to sign him on a free transfer in the summer.

However, the deal hinges on whether Liverpool can snatch Leon Goretzka from under Bayern Munich’s noses.

Goretzka also has just six months remaining on his contract and has been heavily linked with a move from Schalke to Munich. But Liverpool are also very keen and, if they can persuade him to join the Anfield club, will allow Can to leave.

WHO EMRE CAN WANTS TO JOIN

But Can’s preference isn’t Man City - nor Juventus for that matter.

That’s because he wants a move to Bayern Munich himself - a club where he started his senior career.

Of course, the Bavarians are currently concentrating all of their efforts on signing Goretzka but, if that deal falls through, they could make a move for fellow German Can.

But if Goretzka does move to the Allianz Arena, the Mirror state that “the Liverpool player will instead lean towards staying in the Premier League.”

It’s one almighty tug of war.

CAN ON HIS FUTURE

Can recently spoke about his Liverpool future, insisted that he could yet sign a new deal at the club.

"My agent is looking after everything but I am here until the summer," said Can. "I haven’t signed anything [with Juventus] or anyone. I am talking with everyone.

"Of course I am talking with Liverpool. Why not? I still have a contract here. It is an amazing club.

"What can I say? My agent does the rest. I just concentrate on the scene, on my performance and the football. I will give everything for this team.’