Ryan Gravenberch has had his scheduled flight from Munich to Liverpool on Thursday night cancelled with his switch to the Reds now delayed, it has been reported in the German media. Gravenberch appears Jurgen Klopp’s No 1 target heading into transfer deadline day.
The Bayern Munich midfielder reportedly has a new flight scheduled for Friday morning. It comes as flight chaos continues to ground trips into the United Kingdom.
Liverpool are desperate to sign Gravenberch amid a hunt for a new midfielder. Klopp has already added Wataru Endo, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai to his midfield ranks this summer but needs more options in the middle of the park.
The Premier League outfit are reported to have agreed a £34million fee with Bayern to sign the Dutchman. Their head coach has been the driving force behind the deal.
But according to Sky Sport Germany, Liverpool must wait patiently to conclude the transfer prior to Friday’s 11pm deadline. That is because Gravenberch’s overnight flight to the UK was cancelled.
The 21-year-old was set to complete his switch to Anfield in the morning after flying in from Munich. But the process will now be delayed with a new flight scheduled for early on Friday.
The report adds that the transfer is not in danger and is likely to be concluded before the window closes. It is effectively a ‘done deal’ with Liverpool paying £38.5m, inclusive of add-ons.
Klopp, who was reportedly the driving force behind the move, has been keen to add a fourth midfielder to his list of summer signings. Liverpool’s midfield was heavily scrutinised last season for its inability to play Klopp’s full-throttle pressing style.
Liverpool are believed to have fought off competition from Manchester United to sign Gravenberch, who was linked with a switch to both clubs prior to joining Bayern last summer. United are also desperate to sign a midfielder and identified the former Ajax starlet as a Plan B if their move for Sofyan Amrabat failed.
The departures of Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain made the need for a midfield overhaul all the more important. Even after the additions of Endo, Mac Allister and Szoboszlai, gaps have still been evident in Liverpool’s squad.
Bayern fought off strong competition to sign Gravenberch last summer but he struggled to make an impact. He made just three Bundesliga starts and seems set to seal an early exit to Liverpool.
