Liverpool in 'advanced talks' for wonderkid midfielder on bargain deal: report

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp looks on prior to the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and AFC Bournemouth at Anfield on August 19, 2023 in Liverpool, England.
(Image credit: George Wood/Getty Images)

Liverpool are in discussions over signing a highly-rated young midfielder to bolster the ranks in their squad.

The Reds are still lacking in numbers in the centre of the park but picked up their first win of the season at the weekend at home to Bournemouth, with new signing Wataru Endo coming off the bench. Manager Jurgen Klopp would like another signing or two in midfield though, with Cody Gakpo playing in there of late.

With just under two weeks to go before the window closes, Liverpool could yet be set for a flurry of activity – and have reportedly stepped up attempts to land one particular young star.

Wataru Endo new signing of Liverpool at AXA Training Centre on August 18, 2023 in Kirkby, England.

Wataru Endo played his debut for Liverpool at the weekend (Image credit: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

The Daily Mail says that the Merseysiders are in talks to bring Ryan Gravenberch to Anfield this summer, having held interest in him for a year now – with assistant Pep Lijnders perhaps influential in the deal.

Lijnders has played a bigger role in recruitment since the exit of sporting director Michael Edwards according to the Telegraph, with the Dutchman said to be key in the decision to move for Gakpo. Gravenberch is another Dutch star – who could increase the presence of Netherlands internationals at Melwood. 

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Since joining Bayern Munich last summer, the 21-year-old has struggled to make an impact on the first team but could find that a move to Klopp's 4-3-3 would help him to rekindle his touch. The young star is a perfect fit for the system and is able to affect play in all phases. 

Having joined for just £16 million last summer, Gravenberch could well be sold on a deal that suits the Reds compared to some of the more expensive targets they've had in the crosshairs. Liverpool could even broker a loan move with an agreed fee at the end, either compulsory or optional. 

Ryan Gravenberch of Bayern reacts during the Bundesliga match between SV Werder Bremen and FC Bayern München at Wohninvest Weserstadion on August 18, 2023 in Bremen, Germany.

Ryan Gravenberch could be on Liverpool's radar (Image credit: Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)

Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel is said to be a fan of the young midfielder but with plenty of competition at the Allianz Arena has started just three games since making his move from Ajax.

Gravenberch is valued by Transfermarkt to be worth €30m.

More Liverpool stories

Liverpool transfer news is coming thick and fast as we enter the final few weeks of the summer window.

Jurgen Klopp has opened up about the club’s decision to launch a mega-money bid for Caicedo – but the Reds manager could be on his way out of Anfield sooner than anticipated. Meanwhile, Liverpool are targeting as many as four midfielders amid their struggles in the transfer market.

In our season preview of all 92 clubs, FourFourTwo discusses how Liverpool can get back to winning ways, with Salah proving pivotal in any future success this season. 

Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White is the Digital Content Editor at FourFourTwo. During his time on the brand, Mark has written three cover features on Mikel Arteta, Martin Odegaard and the Invincibles, and has written pieces on subjects ranging from Sir Bobby Robson’s time at Barcelona to the career of Robinho. An encyclopedia of football trivia and collector of shirts, he first joined the team back in 2020 as a staff writer.