Liverpool have identified a young Dutch star as their next midfield target, after abandoning their pursuit of Jude Bellingham.
With rumours that the Borussia Dortmund teenager could cost as much as £120 million, the Reds have turned their attention away from Bellingham. Jurgen Klopp's side are eighth in the Premier League, facing no Champions League football next season and have too many areas of the team to address to spend so much on one player.
With Bellingham now expected to join either Real Madrid or Manchester City, the Merseysiders have identified alternative options – with another wonderkid emerging as a top target.
90min have reported that Bayern Munich ace Ryan Gravenberch is on the shortlist for Liverpool, having only moved to Bavaria last summer.
A highly-rated talent at Ajax, Gravenberch was given limited opportunities under the recently-sacked Julian Nagelsmann – and with Konrad Laimer set to join for free this summer, according to Sky journalist Florian Plettenberg, the Dutchman could see his game-time diminish further.
Liverpool were interested in Gravenberch as long as a year and a half ago according to the Mail before his move to the Bundesliga and Klopp would be keen on resurrecting the career of a player who has impressed massively in his young career already. It's likely that Klopp won't be the only suitor for the star, however.
Arsenal are said to be interested while Erik ten Hag, who worked with the player in Amsterdam, is rumoured to be rebuilding Manchester United with multiple midfield buys. A low-cost move for Gravenberch – even as a loan – could be on the cards for the Red Devils.
Capable of operating as a No.6, a No.8 and a. No.10 in midfield, Gravenberch is similar in many respects to Bellingham, who is also a leggy, all-action midfield talent. Both players are extremely young and have thrived best in a 4-3-3 formation in their respective careers – making a move to Liverpool sensible.
Gravenberch is valued at €30 million by Transfermarkt.
