Liverpool have apparently made contact with the representatives of Bayern Munich's Ryan Gravenberch as they scope out midfield targets for the summer transfer window.
The 20-year-old has found it difficult to make an impact in the Bavarians' XI during his debut season, with Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka firmly ahead of him in the pecking order.
Gravenberch has scored one goal and set up one more in 22 matches for Bayern across all tournaments, but he only made his first Bundesliga start against Borussia Monchengladbach last week.
However, the Netherlands international was withdrawn at half time in that 3-2 defeat as his struggles continued, although he did make two starts in the Champions League group stages.
As a result of his underwhelming start to life in the Bundesliga, Gravenberch was left out of the Netherlands squad for the 2022 World Cup, and his long-term future is already being called into question.
© Reuters
According to Sport1, Liverpool are closely monitoring Gravenberch's situation at the Allianz Arena, and enquiries have already been made from the powers-that-be at Anfield.
The report claims that Bayern are not giving up on the Dutchman and believe that he can still come good, even though his defensive work-rate has been criticised by coaches.
Should Gravenberch's playing situation not improve in the coming months, however, he would supposedly give consideration to an exit, either on loan or permanently.
The 2002-born lynchpin previously scored 12 goals and provided 13 assists in 103 games for Ajax under Erik ten Hag, but Bayern paid a relatively modest fee of £16.4m to poach him from the Eredivisie champions.
Gravenberch signed a five-year deal at the Allianz Arena until the summer of 2027, but Liverpool are working to bolster their midfield ranks as a matter of priority.
© Reuters
All of Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner could leave the club when their deals expire in the summer, while Arthur is due to return to Juventus at the end of his loan spell.
The emergence of 18-year-old Stefan Bajcetic has been a silver lining in a difficult season for Liverpool, but Fabinho and Jordan Henderson's performances have both come under scrutiny.
Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham is still said to be Liverpool's number one target, but the England international could command a fee of at least £132m to depart the Westfalenstadion.
The likes of Real Madrid, Manchester City and Manchester United would also be expected to join Liverpool in the race for Bellingham, although John W Henry has reportedly promised funds for summer transfer activity.
Henderson, Keita and Milner all started for Liverpool in their drab 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace on Saturday, which lifted them up to seventh in the Premier League table.
Ben Knapton
