Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on Manchester United’s pursuit of Ryan Gravenberch while making it clear that Bayern Munich will not ‘sell’ their midfielder to the Premier League giants.
According to German publication AZ, the respective bosses of Manchester United and Bayern Munich are were to hold a meeting before the week was out.
And while the future of Benjamin Pavard is likely to come up – United reportedly opened talks with the World Cup winning France international over the weekend – the smart money is now on another Bayern player swapping Munich for Manchester before September 1st.
Step forward Netherlands midfielder Ryan Gravenberch.
Man United back in for Bayern Munich’s Ryan Gravenberch
Ryan Gravenberch was heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford in the spring. The former Ajax ace – who worked with Erik ten Hag in Amsterdam – now appears to be back with a vengeance.
FootMercato say that Gravenberch – like Sofyan Amrabat – prefers United to Liverpool. Alfredo Pedulla, so well-connected during the Rasmus Hojlund and Andre Onana sagas, adds that United have carried out a ‘survey’ regarding the elegant Dutchman.
And, on Thursday afternoon, it was the turn of the window’s biggest dog to bark.
“Manchester United and Liverpool called again this week to be informed about the Ryan Gravenberch situation,” Fabrizio Romano explains.
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“I understand Bayern’s position remains the same as of today. (There is) no intention to sell Gravenberch. Both Manchester United and Liverpool remain keen in case of last minute changes.”
‘Better than Jude Bellingham’
Romano, however, did not rule out Bayern loaning Gravenberch, rather than selling him. German publication Kicker reported a few weeks ago that the Bundesliga champions would consider short-term offers for Gravenberch, and such a possibility could appeal to a United side who’s pursuit of Amrabat has hit the buffers due to the lack of cash readily available to Erik ten Hag.
What’s more, United have a good relationship with Bayern, having signed Marcel Sabitzer on a loan deal in January.
Gravenberch started only three Bundesliga games in 2022/23. Dutch icon Rafael Van der Vaart, however, is of the opinion that his young compatriot needs only a run of games to show that he belongs on the same pedestal as another who made a big-money move to Germany.
“I think there is one big difference (between Gravenberch and Jude Bellingham. Bellingham is a step lower (at Dortmund) and always plays,” Van der Vaart argues.
“I think Gravenberch is better than him, in every way. Especially physically.”