18 April 2023 , 05:30
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Bayern Munich's Dutch midfielder Ryan Gravenberch has told Liverpool he is open to a summer move to Anfield.
The Merseysiders have already spoken to the 20-year-old’s father, Ryan senior, and his agent Jose Fortes Rodriguez about whether the former Ajax youngster was interested in quitting Bayern after just a single season to link-up with Jurgen Klopp.
And the Reds have now been urged to step up their interest to the next level by opening talks with Bayern.
Gravenberch is on £100,000-a-week in Germany - after tax. That means Liverpool would have to give him a £200,000-a-week contract just to match those terms.
But those figures were not deemed to be an issue when the Merseysiders spoke to Gravenberch’s advisers in Amsterdam last Wednesday. And Liverpool are hoping that Bayern will do business if they can recoup the £16.3 million they paid Ajax last summer.
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Gravenberch was recognised as the most talented player in Holland two years ago when he won the prestigious Johan Cruyff Award. But he has become frustrated by a lack of playing time in Munich after joining Bayern in a cut-price deal with his contract ticking down last year.
Gravenberch has played just 711 minutes this season spread over 27 appearances. Klopp is looking for midfield reinforcements to bolster his team after a disappointing season.
Liverpool have ended their interest in Jude Bellingham after realising landing the £130 million-plus Borussia Dortmund teenager would take up most of Klopp’s summer budget.
Ryan Gravenberch has started just once in the Bundesliga this season (Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)Gravenberch has played 11 times for Holland and only five players have made their debut for the Oranje at a younger age. He is one of three brothers who all play professional football.
Gravenberch is flattered by Liverpool’s interest after losing his way under Julian Nagelsmann at Bayern. Club officials urged him to be patient and Thomas Tuchel spoke glowingly about him after succeeding Nagelsmann as coach.
But Gravenberch has only featured in one of Tuchel’s first four games - when he was given a 10-minute cameo as a substitute in the 1-1 draw with Hoffenheim on Saturday.