Liverpool, Man Utd ‘reactivate’ pursuit of Bayern Munich star but Klopp set to miss out again
Liverpool and Manchester United are set to reignite their interest in signing Bayern Munich midfielder Ryan Gravenberch this summer, according to reports.
Both Premier League sides are still looking for another midfielder this summer with the transfer window closing in a little over two weeks.
Man Utd have already strengthened with Mason Mount but they now want a more defensive-minded midfielder with Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat heavily linked.
Chelsea have been Liverpool’s worst enemy in the summer transfer market with Mauricio Pochettino’s side beating them to the signings of Moises Caicedo from Brighton and Southampton’s Romeo Lavia, with the latter yet to be officially confirmed.
Liverpool shot themselves in the foot over Lavia with the Belgium international reportedly being made to feel like he was ‘second choice’ to Caicedo.
And now Jurgen Klopp and his recruitment team must move on to other targets as the deadline approaches with seven midfielders linked in this morning’s gossip column.
READ MORE: Is Jurgen Klopp the new Arsene Wenger? Is the ignominious end coming?
Liverpool and Man Utd could be competing for one of the same players for the remainder of the transfer window with Bayern Munich’s Gravenberch interesting both clubs previously.
And Foot Mercato claim that Liverpool and Man Utd have ‘reactivated the track’ for the Netherlands international with his departure from the Allianz Arena ‘now studied’ after failing to impress Thomas Tuchel.
It is understood that ‘no offer has been made’ by either of the Premier League sides yet but that ‘the player prefers to join the Red Devils in case of [his] departure’.
Former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant would like to see the Reds sign either Inter Milan’s Nicolo Barella or Nice’s Khephren Thuram before the window shuts.
Pennant told bettingsites.co.uk: “I’d like to see Liverpool bring in Nicolo Barella from Inter Milan. He looks a really good player in that holding position as well.
“Another player I’d like to see brought in is Khephren Thuram from Nice, he looks a wonderful player and is a similar age to Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia. I’d be excited about him. There’s some good options.”
On missing out on the signing of Caicedo, Pennant added: “To lose out on Caicedo is a massive blow for Liverpool. When I saw Liverpool had agreed a fee for him I was licking my lips thinking this is going to be a strong season for them with a strong midfield.
“We saw it against Chelsea on Sunday how important it is for Liverpool to sign a holding midfielder. I think Liverpool could have won that game with a holding midfielder, a good holding midfielder like Caicedo.
“Playing Cody Gakpo in midfield, he’s more of an attacking player, so there’s not a lot of strength there or protection for the defence. So Liverpool definitely need a new defensive midfielder.”
