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German international midfielder of Turkish origin Emre Can, currently playing for Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga, has reportedly drawn interest from Türkiye’s three leading football clubs: Besiktas, Fenerbahce and Galatasaray, according to local media reports.
The Istanbul-based teams are said to be considering a move for the 31-year-old during the upcoming January transfer window.
However, Can is believed to favor staying at Dortmund, where he has established himself not only as a player but also as a key figure within the club’s leadership structure, according to German news outlet Bild.de.
Dortmund’s management, including CEO Lars Ricken and Sporting Director Sebastian Kehl, reportedly intends to offer Can a one-year contract extension, which currently expires in the summer of 2026.
While the midfielder has returned to full fitness following a long-term adductor injury after missing 18 matches in late October, the club’s desire to retain him extends beyond his on-pitch contributions.
Can is recognized internally as a stabilizing figure, especially in the locker room, where he mentors younger players and maintains team cohesion.
Dortmund’s leadership values his experience and sees him as essential to maintaining continuity during a summer reshuffle that is expected to avoid dramatic squad changes, the report suggested.
Head coach Niko Kovac is also said to hold Can in high regard, appreciating the midfielder’s tactical versatility. Can is capable of playing in central midfield or stepping into a central defensive role when needed—a flexibility that has strengthened his role in the squad.
Since recovering from his injury, Can has played full matches in two Bundesliga fixtures, started once in the German Cup (DFB-Pokal), and appeared twice as a substitute in UEFA Champions League matches.
The midfielder, who turns 32 in January, has made 541 club appearances across his career, scoring 51 goals and delivering 30 assists. His resume also includes stints at Liverpool and Juventus, and he has earned 48 caps for the German national team.
Should Emre Can eventually transfer to a club in Türkiye, he would be classified as a foreign player under current Turkish Football Federation (TFF) rules, which allow clubs to register a maximum of 12 foreign players in their senior squad.
The classification could complicate a potential move to the Turkish side, as many Super Lig teams, particularly title contenders, already face tight restrictions on foreign player quotas and must balance squad composition carefully during the transfer window.
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