01 September 2023 , 06:01
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Liverpool are pushing to sign Ryan Gravenberch from Bayern Munich on Transfer Deadline Day – and they can offer him a nice incentive to sign.
Jurgen Klopp has been keen to sign another midfielder for weeks after the shock of losing both Jordan Henderson and Fabinho to the Saudi Pro League. After weeks of speculation, they moved for Gravenberch late in the window and are close to getting their man.
Mirror Football understands Gravenberch is flying to Merseyside to complete a medical ahead of a £35million move from Bayern. The 21-year-old has always been open to the move, with game time hard to come by in Bavaria.
Liverpool’s patience in the pursuit looks like it will pay off and, as an added extra, the club will be able to offer Gravenberch a sweetener. While he hasn’t had the chance to wear it as much as he’d like, the Netherlands international has donned the No38 at Bayern.
His decision to take the shirt upon joining from Ajax last summer was a sentimental one, because No38 was his first squad number upon progressing from the Ajax academy to the first team. And, as luck would have it, the No38 is available at Liverpool.
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In fact, the No38 shirt has been empty in the first-team squad since defender Jon Flanagan wore it during the 2017/18 season. It has not been a popular number, but as we saw when Declan Rice moved from West Ham to Arsenal and kept the No41 shirt, sentimentality is often a strong factor in football.
Ryan Gravenberch wore the No38 at Bayern Munich (Jean Catuffe/Getty Images) HAVE YOUR SAY! Is Ryan Gravenberch a good signing for Liverpool? Comment below.
Given the choice, Gravenberch may well have chosen the No8 shirt, as that is the number he wore during his final two seasons with Ajax. However, another summer signing – Dominik Szoboszlai – got to that first and has made a very good start in making it his own.
Should he wish to, there are some other options available at Liverpool for Gravenberch. He has worn 14 and 16 for the Netherlands national team and both numbers are currently free at the Reds.
No14 could be an auspicious choice, given top Liverpool midfielders of the past have donned it – think Jordan Henderson, Xabi Alonso and Jan Molby – while it is also the number of Dutch legend Johan Cruyff.
Following a number of exits, Liverpool have a smaller squad than many of their Premier League rivals, which means a decent choice of shirt numbers. In fact, 12, 14, 15 and 16 are all available, meaning Gravenberch will have plenty of choice when it comes to deciding before Friday’s 11pm deadline.