Liverpool have been heavily linked with Ryan Gravenberch in recent weeks.
The Reds appear to have pulled the plug on a move for Jude Bellingham and are looking at alternatives.
According to Fussball Transfers, the Anfield outfit is now pushing to secure Gravenberch’s services this summer.
Meanwhile, The Mirror has reported that Liverpool are willing to massively increase the Bayern Munich talent’s salary.
The £25million-rated midfielder is in line for wages of £200,000-a-week, claimed the English outlet.
However, there has been some criticism to the prospect of Liverpool moving for Gravenberch.
Netherland legend Marco van Bastern recently urged the Reds not to move for his compatriot.
“(Liverpool is) much too big,” Van Basten told Ziggo Sport, as per HITC.
“First, go and play football somewhere where you can always play.”
Now, Ryan Taylor has also expressed doubts over whether Gravenberch is good enough for the Reds at present.
He told GiveMeSport: “My argument would be: If he’s not good enough for Bayern Munich, why should he be good enough for Liverpool at the moment?
“I know he’s a top young player, but I’m very much of the opinion that Bayern aren’t streets ahead of Liverpool at the moment.
“I know Liverpool have had an awful season, I still feel like, come next season, Liverpool will probably be as good as Bayern.
“And ultimately, if Gravenberch isn’t deemed capable of getting into that team at the moment, then I do question whether he can get into Liverpool’s team.”
Our view
Taylor makes a decent enough argument. Gravenberch is struggling for game time at Bayern, and he’d be joining an equally elite side with high expectations.
Indeed, Van Basten – one of the greatest players of all time – made a similar argument, suggesting Gravenberch was too quick to leave Ajax.
However, the midfield situation between the two clubs is completely different.
Bayern’s midfield is settled, world-class and difficult to break into. Meanwhile, Liverpool have the issue of ageing legs and expiring contracts.
Besides, there have been plenty of cases where players who struggle for starts at one club thrive at another.
Let’s not forget that two of Liverpool’s best players in recent years, Georginio Wijnaldum and Andrew Robertson, came from relegated clubs.
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