Liverpool target Gravenberch opens door for transfer as Nice hold Thuram meeting

Liverpool target Ryan Gravenberch has made it clear he would be willing to pursue a summer transfer should Bayern Munich fail to offer him assurances of regular playing time. The Dutchman has publicly expressed his grievances following his debut season in Germany where he was agitated by his lack of minutes despite winning the Bundesliga title.

Last month, Liverpool began to ramp up their search for midfield reinforcements and are understood to have met with Gravenberch’s representatives in Amsterdam to discuss a transfer.

But since then, speculation has since dried up after Bayern made it clear that intend to keep the former Ajax maestro, who remains key to their future plans.

However, the player has now taken matters into his own hands by outlining his willingness to pursue a new challenge if Bayern aren’t prepared to match his ambitions – placing Liverpool on red alert.

Gravenberch told De Telegraaf: “I want to play more… preferably at Bayern. Otherwise at a club where I’ll 100 per cent play. That’s my plan.

“I don’t want to have another year like the one I’ve just had — I’ll speak to the coach in the next weeks then we will see.”

While he made 24 appearances in the Bundesliga, the young Dutchman made just three starts, two of which came in the final matches of the season.

The brilliance of 20-year-old sensation Jamal Musiala means opportunities have been limited for Gravenberch and that is likely to remain the case moving forward.

Liverpool appear to have since moved onto to other targets – while they continue to monitor the 21-year-old’s situation – including Nice’s Khephren Thuram.

The Reds have already held discussions with his representatives over a summer swoop but they are yet to hold concrete discussions with Nice.

Meanwhile on Wednesday morning, Thuram’s agent Rafaela Pimenta posted a picture at Nice’s HQ as she prepared to discuss the future of his client who is currently on international duty with France’s U21 side.

There is hope that Liverpool could potentially secure a deal for under £30m if they were to formalise their interest.

That said, Thuram is not the only target of interest with Borussia Monchengladbach’s Manu Kone also on the agenda.

Talks have also been held with his representatives but to date, there has been no formal approach for Kone, who is a close friend of Thuram.

Liverpool are evidently shopping for a young midfielder in the market having already landed World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton in a £35m deal.

Mason Mount had also been of interest earlier in the window but it appears that ship has now sailed as Manchester United continue to work on his arrival.

Celta Vigo attacking midfielder Gabri Veiga is also among the alternative names of interest and the Spaniard has a release clause worth in the region of £34m.