Emre Can to Liverpool: Reds close in on £9.75m transfer for Bayer Leverkusen midfielder

The deal could be completed before the end of the week

Liverpool are closing in on Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Emre Can, after meeting the £9.75m release clause in his contract.

The Germany Under-21 international has been a long-term target for the Reds, and Brendan Rodgers has personally checked on the 20-year-old's progress, according to the Daily Mail.

Inter Milan are also keen on Can, but the player favours a move to the Premier League. The deal could be concluded within the week with Rodgers wanting to complete some of his transfer business before the start of the World Cup in eight days time.

Can will be the second player Liverpool have signed since the end of last season, after Rickie Lambert joined from Southampton for £4m earlier this week.

The Frankfurt-born player of Turkish descent began his professional career at Bayern Munich before signing for Leverkusen last summer. He was an integral part of the side last season, making 29 appearances in the Bundesliga.