18 April 2023 , 14:20
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Former Tottenham midfielder Rafael van der Vaart believes that Liverpool target Ryan Gravenberch is better than Jude Bellingham as the Reds attempt to seal a deal for the Dutchman.
The Reds have been linked with a move for both midfielders over the past year but now have a preference. Liverpool have dropped out of the running for the Borussia Dortmund star after being left concerned at the price they will have to pay for him.
Bayern Munich midfielder Gravenberch is seen as a cheaper alternative, with the Merseysiders already doing the groundwork to secure his services. He has already informed Liverpool that he would be open to a summer move to Anfield.
Meanwhile, the Reds have already agreed to match the £200,000-a-week wage packet that he currently earns in Bavaria as they met with his representatives in Amsterdam last week. One man who appears to be a huge fan of Gravenberch’s potential switch to Liverpool is former Dutch midfielder Van der Vaart, who suggests that he is streets ahead of the Reds’ previous target Bellingham.
However, he has also suggested that a move back to former club Ajax would be more beneficial for the youngster’s career. As quoted by Ziggo Sport, the 40-year-old said: “Do you know what the most important thing is when you go to a new club? The first two weeks.
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“You have to show in every training, every practice game that you are a rightful purchase. For Gravenberch, it would actually be good to rent him out to Ajax again.
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“Can you remember any player who sat on the bench at Bayern in the 1990s? You make a lot of money… Nice and all, but no, you have to play football.
“What I think the big difference is: Bellingham is at a club a step lower and always plays. I think is Gravenberch better than Bellingham in every way. Especially also in physicality.”
Gravenberch, 20, only moved to Bayern at the start of this season in a £16m switch from Ajax. He has failed to leave a mark on the side since then though with just four starts to his name - only one of those coming in the Bundesliga.
Another Dutch icon in the form of Marco van Basten has warned Gravenberch off a move to Anfield, suggesting that a move would be "too big". He said: "Liverpool is much too big for him. These young guys go to the big clubs way too quickly.
"They think they are quite something, but when you get to those kinds of club they all say when you enter the dressing room: 'let’s see it'.
"You have to really push yourself. Your fellow team-mates see you as a competitor. If you are good, you will succeed. But you need to have good people around you. A lot of Dutch players underestimate it."
Former Reds defender Jose Enrique got fans excited when he suggested that a deal was already done for Gravenberch last month, whilst Dutchman’s agent Rafaela Pimenta was spotted at Anfield earlier in the season. The midfielder was also pictured wearing the club’s shirt in an image that went viral on social media.