After news that Liverpool's pursuit of Jude Bellingham had ended, attention quickly turned to alternative targets the Reds should consider moves for this summer.
A whole host of names have been listed as possible options, from Conor Gallagher and Mason Mount at Chelsea to Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo at Brighton.
One individual who has also formed part of this conversation is Ryan Gravenberch of Bayern Munich, who only signed for the Bundesliga giants last summer after leaving his boyhood club Ajax. A report from the Times yesterday evening suggested the Reds have 'stepped up' their interest in the Dutchman, with a Liverpool representative said to have held talks over a deal on Tuesday.
READ MORE: 'Complete lies' - Fernandes hits back at criticism received in Liverpool loss
READ MORE: UEFA to introduce CL change that Liverpool don't want to miss out on
The 20-year-old would certainly represent a smart piece of transfer business and has the potential to reproduce the same performance levels shown in his native country, should a move to Merseyside materialise in the coming weeks.
With all attention currently on the youngster, here is look at what has been said about Gravenberch by those who have either watched him closely or from afar.
Rafael Van der Vaart, former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder: “Whether you’re sitting at home or watching (Gravenberch) in the stadium, he dominates. He’s big, strong and calm on the ball. He spins away and then has a gear and then another gear. He has basically everything,” he told Ziggo Sport.
“I also thought Gravenberch and (goalscorer Sebastien) Haller played well, everyone played well. In the first half they didn’t give anything away. That is a pleasure to watch.”
Edwin Van der Sar, ex-Manchester United goalkeeper: "Gravenberch is a midfielder: he is strong, physical, technical and tall,” he said. “Let’s say that there is some similarity [with Pogba], but we don’t put too much pressure on Ryan. He’s a boy from 2002.”
Brian Tevreden, past youth coach of Gravenberch: “Physically, I see Frank [Rijkaard] in him from back in the day, because he’s tall and very strong,” Tevreden told Goal. “But technically, I would say he’s a better version of Pogba in his best days at Juventus. In terms of his technique and his presence on the pitch.”
Erik ten Hag, ex-Ajax manager and current Manchester United boss: "He has a lot of capacities, especially in an attacking sense … but he also comes to understand ‘that other work’ better and better,” said Ten Hag back in November. He is developing partly on the basis of Davy Klaassen, Daley Blind and Dusan Tadic.
“For him, it is becoming increasingly clear what top football entails. That is looking less at yourself, but above all putting yourself at the service of the team.If you are in a first team, the youth has to get out, he has taken big steps there lately.”
Wim Kieft, former Ajax forward: “He is the greatest talent in the Netherlands,” Kieft previously wrote for De Telegraaf. “Only 18-years-old, but the prototype of a complete player. You see him grow every week.
“If someone like this makes his debut at the highest level, the big question is whether he can keep up with the faster pace. Gravenberch picks up on that very quickly. Also in the Champions League. When you see how, despite his height and physically, he easily turns away in the crowds and accelerates, you don’t see that much.”
READ NEXT:
- 'Big fat zero' - Robbie Fowler pinpoints Liverpool problem Jude Bellingham would not fix
- Liverpool could sign bargain midfielder who Man Utd boss Erik Ten Hag loves
- Liverpool told who to sacrifice to raise millions of pounds for transfers
- Redknapp on what he 'heard' about Bellingham as drunk conversation leads to move
- Two massive things' - Konate sends Liverpool message ahead of next season
