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Juventus expect deal for Liverpool's Emre Can but getting Alvaro Morata from Chelsea ‘practically impossible’

On the move | Emre Can: AFP/Getty Images
On the move | Emre Can: AFP/Getty Images

Juventus are “very optimistic” of securing the signature of Emre Can on a free transfer but do not expect to be able to bring Alvaro Morata back to Turin.

Chelsea striker Morata has endured a difficult first season in the Premier League and had to settle for a place on the bench in Saturday’s FA Cup Final, not appearing until the 89th minute of the Blues’ 1-0 win over Manchester United.

The Spanish striker spent two years on loan at Juventus between 2014 and 2016 before returning to Real Madrid, who sold him on to Chelsea for £58million last summer. Morata has said that were it up to him he would never have left Italy.

During a frustrating run of form in 2018 – in which he has scored just three goals – speculation has grown that Juventus could bring Morata back to Turin.

(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Meanwhile it has long been expected that Liverpool midfielder Can would make the move to Juventus when his contract at Anfield expires at the end of the season.

“Morata always expressed sincere appreciation for Juventus and the city of Turin, but it was a very expensive transfer, so it’s practically impossible to get him back,” Juventus chief executive Giuseppe Marotta said.

“Emre Can? I am very optimistic. You can read my smile…”

Marotta added in a separate interview with an Italian broadcaster: “I'm confident we will be able to announce Emre Can after the Champions League final.”

Juventus ended their season with a 2-1 win over Verona, their seventh-straight Serie A title having already been secured.

(REUTERS)
(REUTERS)

The match was goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon’s 656th and final game for Juventus, though it remains unclear if the 40-year-old will retire or play elsewhere, with Paris Saint-Germain among his reported suitors.

“This is a day of celebration. A champion is leaving us, but he is a champion because he left behind great values that were not only expressed on the field, but above all of it,” Marotta told Mediaset Premium.

“He will have to decide between some positions behind a desk or to continue playing. If he should opt for this second course of action, then Paris Saint-Germain would be in the running.”