Emre Can set to join Liverpool after Reds activate £10m release clause

LIVERPOOL have activated Emre Can's £10m release clause at Bayer Leverkusen

ACTIVATED: Reports in Germany suggest Liverpool have activated Emre Can's release clause

The Germany under 21 international now looks certain too make the switch from the Bundesliga to the Premier League.

Reports in German newspaper Bild suggest that Brendan Rodgers has decided to strike and a deal could be tied up relatively quickly.

Can is one of the rising stars of the German top flight, making 33 appearances for Bayer last term.

Liverpool have already signed Rickie Lambert from Southampton for around £4m and are poised to seal the deal for Sevilla defender Alberto Moreno.

With Can aged 20 the deal could represent superb value for money as Rodgers looks to strengthen his squad to tackle the rigours of European football this term and the future.

Leverkusen have made it clear they would like to keep Can if possible, but the German's release clause relates to offers from foreign clubs and they are unlikely to be able to match any offer Rodgers could make.

The Reds boss has spoken of a need to buy a mixture of world-class and versatile players with Can, at the moment at least, fitting the second bill.

But there's nothing to say he can't develop into both of those categories with his best years still ahead of him.

It could hint at a more withdrawn role for captain Steven Gerrard next season, with the 34-year-old unable to carry as much of a burden as last term.