Liverpool are lining up a formal approach for Bayern Munich midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, according to a report.
Despite already adding Wataru Endo, Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister to their engine room, Liverpool are believed to be pushing for a late move for Gravenberch.
The Dutchman was strongly linked with a switch to Anfield earlier in the summer, having struggled to displace Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka in the Bayern pecking order.
However, the Reds hitherto received little encouragement from Bayern that a deal was plausible, forcing Jurgen Klopp's side to move on to other targets over the past few weeks.
With under 48 hours to go before the transfer window slams shut, though, Liverpool are said to have reignited their pursuit and have already agreed personal terms with the 21-year-old.
© Reuters
A report from the Daily Mail now states that Liverpool will soon submit an official bid for Gravenberch, and the Merseyside giants have informed Bayern Munich as such.
The ex-Ajax man only arrived at the Allianz Arena last year and is not due to become a free agent until 2027, but he has remained on the fringes of Thomas Tuchel's team since the new season started.
Gravenberch was an unused substitute against RB Leipzig in the DFL Super Cup and Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga, before playing nine minutes off the bench against Augsburg last weekend.
With Konrad Laimer also battling for minutes in the Bayern midfield, a fee of £30m could allegedly convince the German champions to part ways with Gravenberch, who was absent from training on Thursday as he awaits to learn the latest developments.
Gravenberch is understood to be open to a move to Liverpool, whose newly-appointed sporting director Jorg Schmadtke - a German football virtuoso - has been spearheading talks to bring him to Anfield.
© Reuters
However, before sanctioning Gravenberch's exit, Bayern supposedly want to sign a replacement and are working on a deal to sign Fulham's Joao Palhinha, who was also believed to be wanted by the Reds earlier this summer.
Gravenberch burst onto the scene with Ajax under Erik ten Hag, and a reunion with the Dutchman at Manchester United has also been mooted, but the Red Devils are not actively pursuing a deal as they focus on signing a new left-back.
Since swapping Amsterdam for the Allianz Arena, the 2002-born lynchpin has scored one goal and set up one more in 34 games for Bayern, but he made just three starts in the 2022-23 Bundesliga campaign.
In addition to a fourth new arrival in midfield, Liverpool could try to add another centre-back to their squad before Friday's deadline, as Nat Phillips is set to join Celtic on loan while Ibrahima Konate is injured.
Furthermore, Virgil van Dijk is at risk of missing multiple games through suspension, having been charged with improper conduct over the reaction to his red card against Newcastle United at the weekend.
In any case, Van Dijk will definitely miss Sunday's clash with Aston Villa, where Joel Matip and Joe Gomez could form the central pairing, although new signing Endo has been deployed in a defensive role throughout his career.
Ben Knapton
