Bayern Munich midfielder Ryan Gravenberch couldn't resist a smile when Liverpool's interest was mentioned to him, it has been claimed.
The Dutchman has endured a difficult debut season in Bavaria and made a late cameo appearance yesterday during their game at Jurgen Klopp's former club, Mainz. Thomas Tuchel slipped to a third loss of his short tenure in a 3-1 defeat they relinquished top spot with Borussia Dortmund overtaking them.
Liverpool have been linked with the 20-year-old in recent weeks with reports suggesting talks were held in his native Holland with his father, Ryan senior, and Anfield chiefs. Following their Champions League exit to Manchester City, Gravenberch reportedly didn't want to comment on interest from Liverpool after walking past the assembled media.
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In a new account of that moment from Christian Falk, Gravenberch reportedly broke into a smile when the Reds were mentioned as he made his way out of Allianz Arena.
"There was a meeting with Ryan Gravenberch’s management in Liverpool and in the Netherlands. So he is aware of Liverpool’s interest, the interest is concrete," he wrote in his Caught Offside column. "I talked with Ryan after the match with Manchester City about his interest and he didn’t want to comment on it. But he had a big smile on his face, so it was clear that the Reds’ interest is an honour for him.
"He didn’t want to comment, of course, because he has a contract and he’s aware of Hasan Salihamidzic’s plan to keep him.
"But for sure, he’s not happy with the situation in Munich and he will be also discussing with Thomas Tuchel when they make the squad for next season, which I told you will be in a few weeks, and then they will find a solution for him.
"Bayern Munich is saying no at the moment, but their position on the matter isn’t set in stone. If you can get money for him, they will think about it and you saw on his face that he would be very keen to be a player of Liverpool."
The ECHO understands Mason Mount is among the list of targets ahead of the summer window but the Reds are also assessing the merits of other midfielders including Conor Gallagher, Matheus Nunes and Gravenberch - with even more potentially on the radar.
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