Arsenal are ‘monitoring’ Bayern Munich youngster Ryan Gravenberch as Mikel Arteta looks to bolster his midfield this summer, according to a report.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Bayern paid €18.5million to sign the 20-year-old from Dutch giants Ajax in July 2022.
Transfermarkt actually valued Gravenberch at €35m at the time of his transfer, but with only a year left on his contract, he was available for a very decent price.
It has been a difficult debut season at the Allianz Arena for the young midfielder, however.
Game time has been very limited with Gravenberch only starting four matches all campaign.
The Netherlands international’s lack of minutes has caught the attention of several European clubs.
Liverpool and Manchester United were both linked with the midfielder in January, but could not lure him from Munich. The Red Devils did sign Bayern’s Marcel Sabizter on loan on deadline day, however.
Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner are all out of contract at Anfield at the end of the season and Jurgen Klopp is very eager to improve his midfield when the summer transfer window opens.
Saying that, it is Arsenal who are being linked with a move for Gravenberch.
Transfer expert Florian Plettenberg revealed on Monday that the Premier League leaders are ‘monitoring’ the 20-year-old playmaker.
Arsenal are yet to open any negotiations with Bayern or the player’s representatives, it is said.
There is ‘a lot of competition’ at the Emirates, but Gravenberch would probably play more often under Mikel Arteta than he is at his current club.
Plettenberg notes that Gravenberch’s future ‘all depends on’ Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel.
Arteta is expected to sign at least one midfielder this summer with West Ham’s Declan Rice his number-one target.
It is unclear whether or not Arsenal would look to sign Gravenberch and Rice, or if the former is a back-up option.
Gravenberch recently revealed his desire to stay in Germany to fight for his place but did hint that he would be open to a move elsewhere if he is unsuccessful.
“I’d rather succeed at Bayern,” he reportedly told Ajax Showtime (as per Bavarian Football Works). “But if that doesn’t work out and I don’t get opportunities, then maybe I should look elsewhere.
“At the moment, however, I’m not so concerned with that and I hope that I can change my situation at Bayern.
“I’m still convinced in my choice (to join Bayern) and don’t regret it at all.
“I had certainly hoped and also expected I would play more at Bayern. So far it has not gone as expected. For me that’s a pity, but I’m dealing with it well.”
Gravenberch added: “In my career I never really had a setback until this season. I was always a big talent and joined Ajax’s first team at a young age.
“For me, this season is only the first season in which I’m having a hard time and little game time.
“As a player you also get better from such experiences. I am still very young and I’m glad I’m experiencing something like this now instead of experiencing it for the first time later in my career.
“I’m mentally strong and I’m making even better steps in this situation. This is how I try to convert this experience into something positive. I’m staying strong.”
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