Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Stephen Killen

Liverpool could now end up signing bargain midfielder who Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag loves

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag knows all about Ryan Gravenberch and Liverpool are reportedly stepping up their pursuit of after meeting with the Bayern Munich midfielder's representatives this week.

The Reds are bracing themselves for a busy summer as Jurgen Klopp looks set for a midfield upheaval. Jude Bellingham has previously been hotly tipped to be welcomed through the doors at Anfield, however interest in the 19-year-old cooled.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita are both out of contract in the summer with their future seemingly destined away from Merseyside. Veteran James Milner will too become a free agent in the summer but the 37-year-old is a player which the German head coach admires.

READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp hints at 'new things' expected soon at Liverpool after stark admission

READ MORE: Ryan Gravenberch interest 'stepped up' by Liverpool after bargain price-tag revealed

Midfielders are often being linked with a move to Liverpool as Chelsea duo Conor Gallagher and Mason Mount are both on the list of targets. The 20-year-old, Gravenberch, has also emerged on the possible arrivals in the summer and The Times reported that the representatives of the Bayern Munich man met with beneficiaries from Merseyside this week.

United were fiercely linked with a move for the former Ajax man last summer during Ten Hag's transition from the Eredivisie side to Old Trafford until the midfielder opted to move to the German giants.

The Red Devils boss gave Gravenberch his debut as a 16-year-old in 2018 and he has previously hailed the Liverpool target. Speaking to German outlet Sport 1 in 2022, he said: "Ryan is a very young player, but he has already gained a lot of experience. He has already played over 100 games in the Eredivisie, has played in the Champions League and has been called up for the national team. Despite his young age, he has already experienced a lot and, above all, won titles.

"He's very important for our team because he's a box-to-box player. He accelerates out of positional play, does good dribbling, has tremendous passing ability and participates in the build-up play.

"Due to his athleticism and physique, he is also strong in the transition game and can also win the balls. He's come a long way, but can still learn a lot."

Gravenberch has struggled to usurp Bayern stalwarts Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka since arriving in Bavaria. He mustered up a 10-minute cameo for Thomas Tuchel's side in their recent 1-1 draw with TSG Hoffenheim but his debut season has been largely frustrating managing just 18 appearances in the German league this season - four percent of which came as a starter.

READ MORE:

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.