Liverpool are closing in on a move for Bayern Munich outcast Ryan Gravenberch and Manchester United may be left cursing their luck.
The Red Devils pushed hard to sign the midfielder during last summer's transfer window, having starred under new United boss Erik ten Hag at Ajax. Instead, the Dutchman joined Bayern in a deal worth more than £20million.
Gravenberch was a key player for Ajax during Ten Hag's final two years at the Johan Cruyff Arena and won a trio of Eredivisie titles during his four seasons in their first-team. That attracted the interest of United who were looking to improve their midfield options.
But instead of moving to Old Trafford, Gravenberch snubbed the chance to link back up with Ten Hag. He completed his move to Bayern in June and revealed that while he was a fan of the Red Devils, he felt obligated to stick to the word he had given to the Bundesliga giants.
"Manchester United is a very big and nice club. But I already had such a good feeling at Bayern and I had them given my word. I like the fact that Nous [Noussair Mazraoui] is going there too. It's always nice when you already know someone," he told De Telegraaf.
“My mother will come to live with me in Munich. And my father will be here a lot to take care of all kinds of things, so that I can fully focus on football. I hope to find a house in the coming weeks. Otherwise, I will spend the first few weeks in a hotel.”
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But United will now be left wondering what might have been as they brace to potentially see Gravenberch line up against them next season. The 20-year-old has struggled for game time at Bayern, starting just once in the Bundesliga this season.
Liverpool are now pushing hard to sign him, having already held talks with his father, who manages his son's career. Those discussions are understood to have progressed well, with Gravenberch open to moving to Anfield.
The Reds now need to open talks with Bayern if they wish to follow through on their interest. Gravenberch is expected to command a wage of £200,000 a week, including bonuses, and Bayern won't be letting him go cheap either.
Those figures are not thought to be an issue for the Reds, who have given no indication to Gravenberch's representatives that they would be forced to pull out. The Premier League side are also hopeful that Bayern will look to recoup the money they spent on Gravenberch.
He has been left frustrated by his lack of playing time at the Allianz Arena, under both Julian Nagelsmann and Thomas Tuchel. Bayern chiefs had urged him to give Tuchel a chance, but the midfielder has been a bit-part player under the German.
Following his disastrous debut season in Germany, Gravenberch could leave United kicking themselves that they were not able to convince him to join. Of course, Liverpool still need to follow through on their interest but the potential transfer is gathering pace.
