FOOTBALL UPDATE

Liverpool midfielder Emre Can has reached an agreement in principle to join Juventus in the summer.  The 23-year-old Germany midfielder is out of contract this summer and is free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club, having entered the final six months of his current deal. Liverpool are still trying to persuade him to sign a new contract at Anfield, with boss Jurgen Klopp happy for this to come as late as the end of the season. Can does not need to keep Liverpool informed of his plans beyond this season if he does decide to leave Anfield. Serie A champions Juventus have been trying to sign Can for some time but Sky Germany understands the midfielder will not leave Liverpool in the January transfer window. They face Merseyside rivals Everton in the FA Cup third round on Friday, followed by a home clash with Premier League leaders Manchester City on January 14.

Schalke have completed the signing of winger Marko Pjaca from Juventus on loan until the end of the season. The Bundesliga side will pay €1 million to the Serie A champions, plus a further €500,000 in bonuses, to bring the Croatia international to Germany. It was reported Schalke were keen to include the option of a permanent transfer in the deal but Juve refused, as they consider his long-term future to be in Turin. Speaking to Schalke's official website, Pjaca revealed he sought advice from Benedikt Howedes, who spent his entire professional career in Gelsenkirchen before joining Juventus earlier this year. "He had so many positive things to say about the club and the fans here," Pjaca said. "The coach [Domenico Tedesco] has told me a lot about his playing style and I like that. Now I'm just hoping for as many games as possible." "We are glad that Marko has decided to join us," said Tedesco of a player who was also linked to Anderlecht...