Ryan Gravenberch is enthusiastic about a move to Liverpool next season after the club made a pitch to his camp. For the Premier League team to improve their midfield ahead of this season, the Netherlands international was on a shortlist that included Aurelien Tchouameni, Enzo Fernandez, Nicolo Barella, and the then-unavailable Jude Bellingham. To beat Liverpool and other European opponents, Bayern quickly signed Gravenberch from Ajax, but he has only had 711 minutes of playing time since then, with Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka favored.
Rafaela Pimenta, the 20-year-old’s agent, investigated loan options in January, but the Bundesliga club was unwilling to allow a winter exit. Pimenta spoke with Liverpool at the start of the year, and the club just hired Gravenberch’s father, Ryan Senior, who still advises him on his career. Erik ten Hag, who pushed the versatile midfielder to the first team and got the most out of him at Ajax, checked on his availability for Manchester United before loaning Marcel Sabitzer from Bayern in January.
Bayern, who are expected to sign RB Leipzig midfielder Konrad Laimer this summer, are willing to trade Gravenberch in order to reclaim the £20 million amount – including add-ons – they agreed on for him, as well as a little profit. Bayern’s official stance is that they will not accept any offers for the player, but they are unable to grant him game time while his representatives work on a solution. Ajax is also said to have a 7.5 percent sell-on clause.
Liverpool is not the only club interested in Ryan Gravenberch, but the club has made a head start on their recruitment aims, aware of the competition they will face for targets this summer and the magnitude of the rebuild that awaits. Gravenberch is one of several midfield alternatives being considered by the club, and at least one defensive acquisition is also expected.
He is physically imposing, athletic, and an outstanding ball carrier and receiver. Gravenberch, who has primarily played on the left side of a double pivot, can play across the midfield and is an energetic link-up player in the final third. A dynamic passer who initiates in the build-up phase, he cleverly uses his body to either hide where he wants to give the ball or to protect possession.
New Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel praised Gravenberch’s ability to shield, roll his marker, and drive into space, saying the teenager can “turn and dribble very well.” Brian Tevreden, who advanced a 12-year-old Gravenberch to the Ajax U15s, says Gravenberch’s game has echoes of Paul Pogba. Gravenberch, who has big tournament experience at the international level, great Champions League performances, natural leadership characteristics, and nearly a century of senior matches at his age, is keen to return to playing regularly.
“Until this season, I had never truly experienced a setback in my career. I was always a gifted player who broke into Ajax’s first team at a young age. For me, this is the first season in which I’m struggling and getting minimal game time,” Bayern Munich midfielder Ryan Gravenberch said. “As a player, you benefit from such experiences as well. I’m still very young, and I’m delighted I’m experiencing something like this now rather than later in my career. In this situation, I’m psychologically strong and taking even better steps. This is how I intend to turn this negative experience into something positive. I’m not giving up.”
“I’d rather win at Bayern. But if it doesn’t work out and I don’t receive any opportunities, I might have to seek elsewhere,” he added. “But for the time being, I’m not concerned, and I’m hoping to improve my situation at Bayern. I’m still sure of my decision and have no regrets. I absolutely hoped and expected to play more for Bayern. So far, things haven’t gone as planned. That’s unfortunate for me, but I’m handling it well.”
For more football news, click here
