Liverpool closer to signing wonderkid after 'advanced talks', with his current manager wanting to sell: report

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Liverpool could strike a deal for a wonderkid whose future at his current club is unclear

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp gives his side instructions during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Liverpool FC at Craven Cottage on August 06, 2022 in London, England.
(Image credit: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Liverpool have held advanced talks with one exciting young midfielder – who now appears to be unwanted by his current manager.

The Reds are hoping to end the transfer window with a flourish to increase the depth in midfield and fill out the squad. Japanese midfielder Wataru Endo has been the latest to join – and he made his debut against Bournemouth at the weekend. 

But with numbers still a little light in the centre of the park following an exodus in which five senior midfielders left the club this summer, Liverpool are closing in on a talented player who may be available. 

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

Wataru Endo joined Liverpool last week (Image credit: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

The Mail reported recently that Liverpool have held "advanced talks" with Bayern Munich ace Ryan Gravenberch, with The Athletic now admitting that the Dutchman faces an "uncertain future" in Bavaria.

According to the report, many at the Allianz Arena are impressed with the 21-year-old but manager Thomas Tuchel has reached a point where he will happily cash in on Gravenberch in order to fund a move for a true defensive midfielder. The club's hierarchy, meanwhile, think that Konrad Laimer can fulfil that role. 

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"While many of Gravenberch's team-mates have praised his training performances and club officials believe that the former Ajax midfielder should be given more time, Tuchel has indicated that he would sanction a move," according to the report.

Liverpool could use the player as a No.8 in their system ahead of Endo and one of Dominik Szoboszlai or Alexis Mac Allister. Comfortable in all phases of play, Gravenberch would be more depth for Klopp rather than an automatic starter.

Ryan Gravenberch of Bayern Muenchen Looks on during the pre-season friendly match between FC Bayern München and AS Monaco at Sportpark Unterhaching on August 7, 2023 in Unterhaching, Germany.

Ryan Gravenberch is on the radar for Liverpool (Image credit: Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

Gravenberch has started just three games at Bayern since making his move from the Eredivisie and was omitted from Louis van Gaal's World Cup 2022 squad in December of last year. 

The midfielder 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
Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.