Liverpool £40m deal for Ryan Gravenberch on track despite Bayern Munich transfer setback
Liverpool are confident they can complete a deal for Ryan Gravenberch ahead of tonight's transfer deadline - despite Bayern Munich having failed in an attempt to sign Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha.
Gravenberch has been on Merseyside today undergoing a medical after the Reds on Thursday agreed a deal worth an initial £35million plus a potential £5m in add-ons with Bayern for the 21-year-old.
It had been reported the Bundesliga champions would only green-light the transfer once they recruited a replacement, prompting fears it could be under threat after Bayern's move for Palhinha collapsed shortly before the 5pm deadline in Germany after Fulham were unable to bring in a new midfielder.
The Gravenberch deal, though, is not dependent on any other Bayern transfer, with Liverpool continuing to progress with the transfer.
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And Bayern have already accepted Gravenberch is departing, with their boss Thomas Tuchel addressing the transfer early on Friday.
"He's wanted to go for a while," he said. "An offer came in and we discussed it. It's not done yet, but the outcome is clear.
"The main problem for him is that we don't really play with 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 number eight in a 4-3-3."
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