21 August 2023 , 05:00
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Manchester United and Liverpool are embroiled in a tug-of-war for Bayern Munich midfielder Ryan Gravenberch.
The two north-west giants have tabled contract offers to the 21-year-old former Ajax star after being told that Gravenberch is planning to hold showdown talks with Bayern about his future under Thomas Tuchel. The German champions value him at around £22million.
But a more likely compromise would be for Gravenberch to be sent out on loan for the season. Bayern told the Dutchman they did not want to lose him when United and Liverpool made enquiries earlier this summer - and the player opted to stay.
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But he has now decided to seek more guarantees about minutes on the pitch after being an unused substitute in the German Super Cup defeat by RB Leipzig and Bayern’s 4-0 victory in the opening game of the Bundesliga season at Werder Bremen on Friday night. And that has put Erik ten Hag and Jurgen Klopp on red-alert.
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The last time they went head-to-head for one of Holland’s top talents it was Liverpool who prevailed. Ten Hag wanted to sign Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven last summer but United could not come up with the money. And that allowed Klopp to snatch the Dutchman away in a £45million deal in January.
Have your say! Who needs Ryan Gravenberch more - Man Utd or Liverpool? Give us your verdict in the comments section.
Ryan Gravenberch's future at Bayern Munich is uncertain (Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)But Gravenberch’s breakthrough at Ajax came courtesy of Ten Hag and he remains a big admirer of the United boss. He won three Eredivisie titles during his time with his hometown club and was presented with the Johan Cruyff Trophy after being recognised as Holland's best under-21 talent in 2021.
The midfielder fears he will lose out on a place in Holland’s squad for next summer’s Euros if he continues to remain on the sidelines in Germany. He has made just one appearance for his country since moving to Bayern in a £16million deal from Ajax in the summer of 2022.
Gravenberch was given just three Bundesliga starts last season. United and Liverpool are looking to strengthen their squads ahead of the transfer deadline.
Ten Hag’s need is more pressing. The United boss is in the market for a defensive midfielder after selling Brazilian international Fred and seeing the ageing Casemiro overrun by both Wolves and Tottenham.
Liverpool have signed Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Wataru Endo after losing Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, but lost out to Chelsea in the race for defensive-minded pair Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia. Gravenberch is an energetic, box-to-box operator but he would give both Klopp and Ten Hag the kind of quality they are looking for.