Liverpool accelerate plan to pinch top Bayern Munich star in deal that could put Man Utd transfer in peril
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is stepping up his plans to raid Bayern Munich for a talented midfielder this summer – but the potential deal could have serious repurcussions for one of Erik ten Hag’s planned signings for Manchester United.
Reds boss Klopp is in desperate need of a midfielder refurbishment this summer. The Merseysiders have struggled in that department this summer and a disasppointing campaign will see them finish without any silverware to their name.
And with both Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain departing this summer, Klopp is looking for at least two new additions to freshen up the engine room.
Truth be told, neither player will be missed that much. And while Oxlade-Chamberlain has been beset by injuries during his time at Anfield, there are still a plethora of suitors waiting to pounce on a free transfer.
Speculation on whom Liverpool could sign in their place is already starting to heat up. And while Jude Bellingham is their No 1 target, any deal for the Reds looks extremely difficult to pull off.
Indeed, with Borussia Dortmund likely to command a fee well in excess of £100m, Liverpool are wisely keeping an eye on numerous alternatives.
To that end, the likes of Ruben Neves, Matheus Nunes, Stanislav Lobotka and Renato Sanches are just four of the names mentioned in recent weeks.
However, Klopp will instead reportedly try and revisit a previous target this summer. And according to reports in Germany, they are very firmly back on the trail of Ryan Gravenberch.
Indeed, they tried to sign the 20-year-old last summer only for Bayern to beat them to the punch.
Bayern willing to sell Ryan Gravenberch to Liverpool
Graveberch made the £15.5m (€18m) move to the Allianz Arena from Ajax, with the total fee to hit £20.2m (€23m) with add-ons.
However, despite impressing in the Eredivisie, Gravenberch has had a hard time asserting himself in Germany.
Indeed, with competition tough for places, the Netherlands midfielder has made just 24 appearances this season and just 15 in the Bundesliga.
To that end, previous coach Julian Nagelsmann seemingly did not rate the 20-year-old, often leaving him benched. As a result, Gravenberch appeared in less than 700 minutes across those performances.
Unsurpisingly, it’s claimed Gravenberch welcomes the change of coach with Thomas Tuchel last week announced as the new Bayern boss.
However, Sport1 reckons a summer exit still looks to be on the cards. And they suggest Bayern Munich are willing to discuss a move for Gravenberch if Liverpool come forward with a proposal.
Suggesting a move to Anfield is a ‘conceivable option’ for him, Bayern reportedly are seeking a fee of around £25m to discuss his sale.
Gravenberch sale could impact Man Utd plan for Marcel Sabitzer
Should Bayern sanction his sale, that could potentially throw a spanner in the works over Marcel Sabitzer.
The Austrian was allowed to leave Bayern on loan in January, moving to Manchester United on a shot-term deal.
That arrangement did not contain an option to make the move permanent. However, Sabitzer has quietly impressed Erik ten Hag and talk of an extended stay have gathered pace in recent weeks.
Indeed, the 29-year-old has made nine appearances for United. And the Austrian scored his first goal for the Red Devils in the FA Cup quarter-final win over Fulham recently.
However, Bayern reportedly do not want to sanction the sales of two midfielder this summer. And were Liverpool to strike a deal for Gravenberch, Sabitzer will likely be phased back into Bayern’s first-team fold.
Tuchel, though, will have his own ideas and he will likely use the coming weeks and months to assess his playing squad.
To that end, Gravenberch and Sabitzer – albeit from further afield – will all be playing for their Bayern futures.
One man who is due to sign for Bayern Munich, though, this summer is Konrad Laimer.
The Austrian reached to a pre-contract agreement to sign for Bayern this summer on a free transfer from RB Leipzig.
The move was put in place by Nagelsmann. And following his dismissal, there had been suggestions the move for Laimer could be in jeopardy.
However, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed the deal for Laimer will still go through as planned. And the announcement on the signing is likely to be made in due course.
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