Liverpool's plans to bolster their midfield this summer have received a boost after one of their transfer targets reacted favourably to an approach from the club.
After a lengthy pursuit of England player Jude Bellingham, The Reds admitted defeat last week and conceded they could not afford a fee north of £80 million for the Borussia Dortmund man. Fans reacted with disillusionment, but Jurgen Klopp sought to brush off the saga by claiming "it's not rocket science" as to why the signing couldn't happen.
But the manager has moved quickly to quell the disappointment with a move for another Bundesliga star. Ryan Gravenberch, who signed for German champions Bayern Munich from Ajax for around £20million in the summer, is reportedly keen to head to Merseyside.
According to Sky Sports, Liverpool have made a 'strong pitch' to the player's camp, with Gravenberch seen as a solution to their much discussed issues in midfield. And the 20-year-old is seemingly keen to head to Anfield after failing to make his mark at Bayern.
The youngster has made 27 appearances is all competitions for the club in the 2022/23 campaign, but the majority from the bench with the pairing of Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka being favoured. And he was an unused substitute in the harrowing 3-0 defeat at Manchester City last Tuesday.
His representative Rafaela Pimenta is said to have explored loan options in January, but then Bayern manager Julian Nagelsmannn wasn't keen to narrow down his options mid-season. But Liverpool have reportedly since liaised with both Pimenta - who has been spotted at Anfield this season - and his father, Ryan senior, over a move this summer.
Bayern are adamant they won't make a loss on their man, but a fee in the region of £20 to £25 million would leave Klopp with ample funds leftover to strengthen elsewhere. If a move were to be completed though, it wouldn't be the first time that Gravenberch has donned the famous red shit.
This month an online photo emerged of the player wearing a Liverpool shirt from the 2019/20 season, which features a badge for the Club World Cup. It was handed to him by Ki-Jana Hoever – a Dutch defender and former Ajax colleague who was at Liverpool between 2018 and 2020.
Gravenberch won three Eredivisie titles with Ajax, and has already been capped 11 times by Holland. Former manager Erik ten Hag has previously likened the midfielder to World Cup winner Paul Pogba.
