Liverpool target Ryan Gravenberch faces a dilemma when he returns to club action with Bayern Munich after his Netherlands side were eliminated from the European Under-21 Championships on Tuesday.
The Reds have shortlisted the former Ajax prospect despite the 21-year-old struggling to cement a starting place in Julian Nagelsmann's and then Thomas Tuchel's side in Bavaria. Jurgen Klopp has already welcomed Alexis Mac Allister into the fold after his move from Brighton & Hove Albion made him the first summer acquisition.
Gravenberch is among a host of talents on display at this summer's U21 tournament with France duo Khephren Thuram and Manu Kone appreciated while Gabri Veiga of Spain and Celta Vigo is also a player of interest identified by chiefs on Merseyside.
The interest in the Holland midfielder was first sparked in January when his agent, Rafaela Pimenta, was in attendance for the goalless draw with Chelsea at Anfield. Coincidentally, the super-agent is the representative of Thuram and also his international teammate, Micky van de Ven, who has been mooted with a move to Merseyside.
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Said speculation surrounding the Bayern man accelerated since the conclusion of the season with Liverpool looking to reinforce their midfield following a disappointing season plus the departures of James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita whose contracts officially expire at the end of June.
"There may be plans with me. I haven’t really spoken to the trainer about that yet, that will come after the European Championship when I’m back from Georgia and Romania. Then we’ll see how things are," the 21-year-old said prior to the tournament.
“I just want to play more, preferably at Bayern Munich. And otherwise at a club where I play 100 percent. That’s my preference. Because I don’t want to have another year like the one I’ve had now.
"One like that. One season is good, I really learned a lot. But I just want to play football."
Since they kicked off their campaign, Gravenberch has since discussed his future at the Allianz Arena.
It appears that he looks determined to fight for his place and become a regular under the former Chelsea manager. "The difference from playing everything at Ajax to sitting on the bench for eighty or even ninety minutes each time was both physically and mentally tough," he told AD.
"I found that especially difficult before the winter break. Now I handle it better. I assume that I will still be playing for Bayern next season. That's really how I feel about it.
"I'm in a top three club in the world. I think that's beautiful and special. I'm not giving up easily. My goal is still to succeed at Bayern."
The midfielder started their opening two fixtures at the tournament held in Georgia and Romania as they drew against Belgium before Brian Brobbey secured a point 12 minutes from time against Portugal.
However, a point against Georgia was not enough for Gravenberch and the Dutch to advance. It means Liverpool may learn where they stand with two of their targets - Van de Ven also started all three games in the competition - sooner than they expected.
