Klopp puts Bellingham blow behind him as Liverpool hold talks over £25m move

15 April 2023 , 23:40

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Klopp puts Bellingham blow behind him as Liverpool hold talks over £25m move

Liverpool have held talks with Bayern Munich star Ryan Gravenberch as they plot their midfield recruitment, as per reports.

The Reds' options in the middle of the park are in major need of a refresh but the club pulled out of the race to sign Jude Bellingham this week. Jurgen Klopp's side have long been considered one of the likely destinations for the Englishman, but the finances involved have seen them opt to pursue other avenues.

One of which has led them to Bayern's Dutch star, who has struggled for minutes since moving to the Allianz Arena from Ajax. Gravenberch remains highly though of however and Liverpool are keen to add him to their squad in the coming months.

According to The Times, the 20-year-old is high on the club's list of midfield possibilities which has seen them send a representative to met with his father in Holland this week for initial discussions. Gravenberch's father has mentored his son throughout his career and would play a key role in any potential move.

The midfielder came through the ranks in Amsterdam but has been restricted to just the solitary start in Munich this term, with the majority of his minutes coming off the bench. As a result an exit could be on the cards, especially as Thomas Tuchel decides which of his inherited players he wants long-term.

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Liverpool have allowed their midfield to age with the likes of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, stalwarts of the Klopp era, now ageing. They are no longer able to produce the intensity needed, which has seen the Reds come unstuck on numerous occasions this term.

Ryan Gravenberch has struggled for minutes in Germany

Chelsea duo Conor Gallagher and Mason Mount are also on the club's radar as they look to close the gap on the Premier League's elite sides after a below par year. Bellingham could yet move to a domestic rival with Manchester City keen, but Klopp was not concerned about Liverpool's decision to walk away from any deal.

He said: "There's nothing to say about it to be honest. If we don't speak about players we sign or not, why would we now speak about this kind of speculation and this kind of news? It's really nothing to say about. It's not about Jude Bellingham my answer now - why do we constantly talk about things we theoretically can't have?

"We cannot have six players in the summer for £100m [each], for example, everybody would say that's clear. You have to realise what you can do and then work with that. How much money do we have available and then work with that. We are not children. Ask a five-year-old what they want for Christmas and they say a Ferrari, you wouldn't say that's a good idea, it's too expensive and you cannot drive it."

Samuel Meade