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Liverpool FC's pursuit of Emre Can is being hampered by the Bayer Leverkusen midfielder's wage demands.
The Reds have informed the Bundesliga outfit they are prepared to activate the £10million release clause in Can's contract.
However, Liverpool's first transfer of the summer is being held up due to ongoing negotiations with the Germany Under-21s international's representatives over personal terms.
Talks are continuing but the 20-year-old appears to be in no rush to sort out his future with Leverkusen still battling to convince him to stay put.
Bayern Munich, who sold him to Leverkusen for £4.5million last August, have a buy-back option but the German champions ideally want him to remain at Leverkusen with a view to a return to Bavaria next summer.
Brendan Rodgers believes Can's versatility would make him a real asset with Liverpool looking to compete for glory both in the Premier League and the Champions League next term.
The Frankfurt-born central midfielder, who is of Turkish descent, can also operate at left-back and centre-back.
He came up through the youth ranks at Bayern but left the Allianz Arena a year ago in search of first-team football.
Can scored three goals in 29 appearances to help Leverkusen finish fourth in the Bundesliga.
By James Pearce
