Liverpool now face a battle with Manchester City for the signing of Bayern Munich midfielder Ryan Gravenberch.
That is according to The Mirror, who claim that City are now ready to consider a deal for Gravenberch.
City, much like Liverpool, are expecting Jude Bellingham to head elsewhere when he leaves Borussia Dortmund.
A move to Real Madrid seems to be on the cards for Bellingham, forcing interested clubs to look elsewhere.
Gravenberch now appears to be on the radar at the Etihad Stadium after a difficult first season at Bayern.
The 20-year-old joined Bayern from Ajax last summer, costing around £21million.
Gravenberch was a top talent in the Netherlands but has yet to replicate that form in the Bundesliga.
Gravenberch has only started two league games all season and two in the Champions League, which has sparked rumours of a summer exit.
Liverpool will hope to beat Manchester City to Ryan Gravenberch
This is not the news Liverpool wanted or needed to hear.
Finding new recruits for their midfield will be hard enough this summer without City joining the race for their targets.
Gravenberch has been linked with Liverpool for weeks now and a deal does seem possible.
The Mirror’s report notes that Liverpool are prepared to pay Gravenberch around £200,000-a-week to make the move to Anfield.
Talks have already been held between Liverpool and Gravenberch’s representatives, and the midfielder is allegedly open to the move.
Liverpool were probably feeling fairly positive about a move for the Dutchman, only for City to get involved.
Pep Guardiola looks set to lose Ilkay Gundogan and with Kevin De Bruyne almost 32, City do need to think about the future of their midfield.
Gravenberch fits the bill for City as a young, box-to-box player who could become a star under Guardiola.
Hope isn’t lost for Liverpool but City’s interest would be a real frustration for the Reds.
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