Liverpool are looking to bolster their midfield this summer as they eye Bayern Munich’s Ryan Gravenberch after successfully acquiring Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton.
Reports from Daily Mirror suggest that Jurgen Klopp has received permission to pursue Bayern Munich’s Ryan Gravenberch as his next signing.
Gravenberch’s situation at Bayern
Gravenberch, who joined Bayern from Ajax last year, has struggled to make an impact and is eager for a new challenge.
Liverpool’s interest in Gravenberch is at an advanced stage, and the club is ready to support Klopp in his pursuit of the 21-year-old midfielder.
However, Gravenberch himself has stated that he will decide his future after the under-21 European Championship, which concludes at the beginning of next month.
Gravenberch’s frustrating debut season at Bayern, where he faced competition from Kimmich and Goretzka for a starting spot, has prompted him to seek more playing time elsewhere.
While Manchester United have also shown interest due to their connection with Ajax coach Erik ten Hag, but at the moment Liverpool seems to be leading the race.
Bayern president Herbert Hainer has praised Gravenberch’s talent and expects him to have more playing time in the future.
The midfielder himself has expressed a desire to play regularly, preferably at Bayern or another club where he can have a guaranteed spot in the lineup.
The former Ajax midfielder only started five games in his 32 appearances for Bayern Munich this season.
Liverpool’s pursuit of Gravenberch comes after their decision to withdraw from the race for Jude Bellingham and their signing of Alexis Mac Allister.
With the departures of Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, the Merseyside club is now looking to strengthen their midfield following a challenging season in the Premier League.
Ben Jacobs on Gravenberch
CBS Sports journalist Ben Jacobs told GiveMeSport:
“With Ryan Gravenberch, Liverpool like his profile and they had a historical interest in him before he joined Bayern.
But as I’ve reported before, I’m still told that a summer move is unlikely, because Thomas Tuchel and Bayern still want to give that transfer – which is relatively new, of course – time.
If Julian Nagelsmann was still at Bayern, I think there’d be a very strong possibility that Gravenberch would go because the manager and the player didn’t always see eye to eye.”
He continued saying,
“Nagelsmann got a bit frustrated by Gravenberch’s lack of awareness off the ball and defensive discipline, at times.
And one of the first things that Thomas Tuchel did was tell Gravenberch that he’s got a clean slate. Bayern’s position is still that they’ve got a player with great talent, a strong profile and a high ceiling at the right age.
So they want Gravenberch to be patient and fight his way more regularly into Bayern’s starting XI, which makes it very difficult for Liverpool.”
Green light to Liverpool for Gravenberch
But transfer expert Fabrizio Romano said on his own YouTube channel:
“The current situation of Ryan Gravenberch is one to watch. Bayern didn’t want, with the past board, to negotiate with any club for Gravenberch.
They told Gravenberch ‘let’s meet at the end of the season in June and discuss the future’ because Liverpool are interested but also other English clubs like Manchester United and Arsenal.
Now, what’s happening is there is a new board that will have to make a decision.”
Despite initial doubts about Liverpool’s chances of signing Gravenberch, recent reports suggest a renewed interest.
The midfielder’s limited playing time and the arrival of Konrad Laimer at Bayern have made him reconsider his future.
Liverpool are now pushing to secure his signature, with Klopp’s wishes being backed by the club.
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