Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano explains why Liverpool took so much time to sign midfielder Ryan Gravenberch from Bayern Munich this summer.
The Merseysiders completed their transfer saga on the deadline day of the summer transfer window. They successfully executed the midfield rehaul with great signings.
And throughout the off-season and pre-season, the Anfield giants’ links with several midfielders had surfaced up.
The addition of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo, and Ryan Gravenberch will definitely enhance the midfield for the next few seasons.
Although the Reds signed Mac Allister and Szoboszlai earlier, the other signings came very late in the transfer window. Thus, Gravenberch’s signing was the last one of this summer that came on the deadline day.
Delay from Liverpool for Gravenberch deal explained by Fabrizio Romano
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano explained the delay by the English giants to sign the Dutch international. While writing in his CaughtOffside Daily Briefing Substack column, he stated,
“Why did Liverpool leave it so late to sign Gravenberch? Ultimately this was because Bayern didn’t want to let the player leave in June, July and early August, as I reported throughout the saga.
This situation only changed one week ago, and so now Liverpool finally have the player after a crazy summer of changes in midfield.
It wasn’t an easy situation for the club after Jordan Henderson and Fabinho moved to Saudi, following free transfer exits for James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, but I think the rebuild was excellent – to get Endo, Gravenberch, Mac Allister and Szoboszlai for €160m total package is something top level.”
Gravenberch moved to Bayern last summer from Ajax as he was considered one of the top talents in Europe.
But the 21-year-old’s future at Allianz Arena became pretty uncertain with Thomas Tuchel refusing to play him.
So the best way for the Dutchman to move forward in his career was a move out. And the Merseysiders pouncing upon that chance was absolutely phenomenal.
The coming days will prove to be decisive as Gravenberch will get his Liverpool debut. And potentially he will move toward a greater future at Anfield.