Liverpool have formally announced the signing of Ryan Gravenberch from Bayern Munich on a five-year deal and in a transfer package that will cost the Reds €40m (£34.2m) – and their new arrival has spoken of his delight at the move.
The Reds have made no secret of their wish to add more bodies to their midfield department this summer after losing six players since the end of last season. After wrapping up a deals for Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szobozslai early in the summer, though, Liverpool have since made hard work of adding to their options.
They did manage to get Waturu Endo over the line a couple of weeks back for a fee in the region of £16.2m; the Japan midfielder slotting straight into the side. But they have left it late in the day to finally tie up the move for Gravenberch.
However, the Reds have now got that move over the line after reaching an agreement with the Bundesliga giants late on Thursday night. Per reports, Liverpool will pay Bayern an initial €35m (£29.9m) with the fee to hit €40m (£34.3m) once add-ons are factored in.
Having spent the day on Merseyside undergoing various medical checks, Gravenberch has now signed his deal, keeping him at Anfield until summer 2028.
Upon sealing the move, the player told the club’s official website: “I’m very happy. Very happy that the deal is done and I’m finally here.
“If you see it from the outside, it’s one of the biggest clubs in the world. Also the fans, the stadium, I think everything from the outside is top. So that’s why [it was the right club].
“I’m really looking forward to [being at Anfield] and I can’t wait to hear the You’ll Never Walk Alone song,” the Reds’ new No.38 added.
“Now we start fresh again, a new start, and I’m going to give my all for this club. [My ambitions are] to win prizes. To win prizes, play a lot and show them who we are and who I am.”
Tuchel explains Gravenberch move to Liverpool
Gravenberch had voiced his displeasure at a lack of minutes at Bayern Munich and made clear his wish to move to the Premier League.
And while Bayern’s plan to sign Joao Palhinha from Fulham as his £50m replacement ultimately failed to get over the line, the Bundesliga giants were happy to part company with the Netherlands midfielder.
Explaing the reasons for letting him leave, Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel admitted the player was a long way down the club’s pecking order.
“He’s a box-to-box midfielder for me, an attacking player,” Tuchel began.
“The main problem for him is that we don’t really have a No 8 in our 4-2-3-1 system. And we’re spoilt for choice up front, with really experienced players.
“Ryan is a very nice, hard-working, committed player. He wasn’t happy with his situation. He sees the chance in Liverpool to fight for a place at No 8 in a 4-3-3.
“He’s wanted to go for a while. An offer came in and we discussed it. It’s not done yet, but the outcome is clear.”
Now, however, the deal is now official with Gravenberch likely to be in line for his Liverpool debut in the Premier League trip to face Wolves at Molineux on Saturday September 16.