Ryan Gravenberch has admitted that he will push for an exit from Bayern Munich if Thomas Tuchel cannot guarantee him more game time next season.
Gravenberch joined Bayern in a £21million transfer from Ajax last summer, but endured a frustrating debut season in Germany, with Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka blocking his path to the starting line-up. The 21-year-old played 32 times across all competitions, yet just five of those came from the starting line-up.
Julian Nagelsmann was reluctant to throw the Dutch midfielder into the team and Gravenberch became increasingly irritated with the lack of involvement as the season wore on. The arrival of Tuchel helped the midfielder end the campaign on a more positive note, but he is still keeping an open mind when it comes to a transfer.
Asked if his start on the final day of the season was a vote of confidence from Tuchel, or an effort to put him in the shop window for Liverpool, Gravenberch said he had wondered the same and told De Telegraaf : “It may be that there are plans with me.
“I haven't really talked to the coach about that yet, that will come after the [Under-21] European Championship when I'm back from Georgia and Romania. Then we will see how it is.”
He added: “I just want to play more, preferably at Bayern Munich. And otherwise at a club where I play 100 per cent. That is my preference. Because I don't want to have another year like the one I've had now. One season like that is good, I really learned a lot. But I just want to play football.”
Bayern recently announced the signing of Konrad Laimer from RB Leipzig on a four-year deal, further increasing their options in the middle of the pitch. Former Chelsea boss Tuchel only arrived in March and will want to bring in other new players to strengthen the squad.
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However, it seems that Bayern still want to keep Gravenberch. The Athletic says Liverpool have held 'positive' discussions with Gravenberch’s representatives, with his agent Rafaela Pimenta was spotted at Anfield, but things have not gone further because the Bavarian club insist he's not for sale.
Gravenberch is currently focused on competing with the Netherlands at the Under-21 European Championship. But it seems he will seek talks with Tuchel in the near future to clarify his place in the Bayern squad.
Liverpool have already completed the signing of Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton, but are in the market for further additions, with James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita all leaving when their contracts expire on June 30.
As well as Gravenberch, they have been linked with Fulham's Joao Palhinha, Borussia Monchengladbach's Manu Kone, Nice star Khephren Thuram and Celta Vigo's Gabri Veiga.
