Furious midfielder ‘very interested’ in joining Liverpool, as top source confirms dream Klopp raid can finally go through
A five-month effort to land a midfielder Jurgen Klopp has ordered Liverpool to sign could finally bear fruit, with a top source confirming Ryan Gravenberch is “very interested” in joining the Reds.
Alexis Mac Allister was the first to arrive in Liverpool’s midfield overhaul this summer. However, with Arthur Melo, Leighton Clarkson, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner all departing, at least two more arrivals are expected.
The Athletic’s James Pearce listed Gabri Veiga, Romeo Lavia, Manu Kone, Khephren Thuram and Ryan Gravenberch as being in Liverpool’s sights. The Mirror recently reported the latter on that list will soon become the subject of a renewed Liverpool push in the transfer market.
Gravenberch, 21, has publicly declared his unhappiness at how his Bayern career has unfolded since arriving from Ajax last summer.
The Dutch international racked up just five starts for Bayern in his maiden campaign in Bavaria. That’s led to a series of stinging interviews to a host of outlets including De Telegraaf.
Gravenberch has made it crystal clear he wants out if he’s not going to start games under Thomas Tuchel next year. With Bayern recently landing Konrad Laimer from RB Leipzig and the club chasing superstars like Declan Rice, Gravenberch’s outlook appears rather bleak.
Liverpool are known to have made a strong pitch to Gravenberch’s camp back in April. Sky Sports claimed the pitch was well received by both the player and his father who helps guide his son’s career.
However, according to Sport1’s chief reporter, Kerry Hau, Liverpool’s efforts to lure Gravenberch to Merseyside date back even further than that.
Speaking to RedMenTV, Hau revealed Liverpool actually opened discussions with the Dutchman’s camp back in February. What’s more, Hau stated Gravenberch is “very interested” in joining the Reds.
Gravenberch wants Liverpool if Tuchel can’t promise starts
“If you give that many interviews saying that you are not happy with your situation, I don’t think you are with your head at Bayern Munich 100 percent,” said Hau.
“I know that they [Gravenberch and his camp] spoke in February with Liverpool and he is very interested to try and join Liverpool and go into the Premier League.
“It’s a desire, but he also knows that if Thomas Tuchel says ‘I will count on you, 100 percent’, then there’s also a possibility he will stay.
“It’s a very difficult situation right now. They will speak and you have to communicate and have a clear plan, because last season he joined Bayern because they promised him to be a starter, to gain confidence and also the possibility to go with the Netherlands to the World Cup.
“In the end he didn’t play for Bayern Munich and he didn’t go to the World Cup. He became frustrated and already told some teammates he is not happy in Munich and would like to leave.
“It’s always a sign for a player that if he speaks in public that you are not happy, and it wasn’t only one interview, it’s five or six interviews.
“Bayern Munich know he’s keen to do something different if Tuchel doesn’t count on him as a regular starter.”
Liverpool to learn fate after Under-21 Euros
Both Fabrizio Romano and BILD’s Christian Falk have reported Bayern’s current stance is they do not wish to sell.
However, Gravenberch recently revealed showdown talks with Bayern will take place once his duties with the Dutch national side at the U21 Euros are concluded . That tournament takes place between June 21 – July 8.
The Mirror reported on Monday that Klopp has ordered Liverpool to move for Gravenberch and the club have duly responded. Indeed, they claimed the Reds are ‘set to back Jurgen Klopp’s wishes of his transfer’ for Gravenberch.
With Bayern signing new midfielders, Liverpool poised to ramp up their pursuit and Gravenberch open to signing up, the signs are beginning to look positive for Klopp and his recruitment team.
All eyes will now be on how the discussions between Gravenberch and Tuchel fare after he returns from international duty.