Liverpool have been handed a transfer blow as Premier League rivals Manchester City have entered the race for wantaway Bayern Munich talent Ryan Gravenberch this summer.
Both sides have been left reeling by their inability for one reason or another to lure Jude Bellingham to the Premier League, with the Borussia Dortmund man having agreed a move to Real Madrid this summer should the two sides be able to agree a fee.
It has left the Premier League pair looking elsewhere for reinforcements. Pep Guardiola’s side are keen to refresh an ageing midfield amid contract uncertainty surrounding Ilkay Gundogan, who will be a free agent this summer. Meanwhile, Liverpool’s need for midfield additions has been clear for much of the past 18 months, and they are moving fast in an attempt to agree a deal for Alexis Mac Allister this summer, but the recruitment will not stop there.
One man who they had been keeping tabs on was Gravenberch, with the Dutchman unhappy with his position in Thomas Tuchel’s squad just under 12 months since leaving Ajax for the German Giants.
“A year of training and playing at top level is beautiful and instructive,” Gravenberch told VI last month. “Although playing, it is mainly training. That has to change next season, then I really want to play weekly again.
“I haven’t spoken to the club management yet, so just wait and see what happens. But it is clear that this role does not match my expectations.”
City have already used Bundesliga bargains to good effect, recruiting Manuel Akanji from Borussia Dortmund last summer. In the months since, the Swiss centre-back has proved excellent value for money and has developed into one of the Premier League’s best defenders.
