Liverpool are reportedly planning to hold talks with Netherlands duo Donyell Malen and Ryan Gravenberch over the possibility of a summer transfer.
According to an exclusive report from Anfield Central, Liverpool are set to hold talks with infamous super-agent Mino Raiola over the possibility of signing two of his clients – Dutch duo of Donyell Malen and Ryan Gravenberch from PSV Eindhoven and AFC Ajax, respectively.
Malen, who started out at the academy of Ajax and spent time in England with Arsenal, has flourished into one of the most exciting young forwards in Europe since his transfer to PSV in 2018. The 22-year-old enjoyed a fine 2020/21 campaign, bagging 27 goals and 10 assists from 45 matches across all competitions, putting him on the radars of Premier League giants Liverpool.
The Merseysiders are in the market for attacking reinforcements this summer, given as Roberto Firmino has not been delivering the desired number of goals from the No. 9 position, putting added pressure on star man Mohamed Salah. Plus with Divock Origi’s future at Anfield non-existent as well as the Africa Cup of Nations coming up next year, bolstering the frontline becomes important for Jurgen Klopp & co.
Malen, to that end, would be a fine addition given his age and potential. In fact, reports earlier in the week from Sky Sports Germany claimed that Liverpool had already opened talks for the 22-year-old, who could be available for just £25 million. However, the aforementioned report denies those claims but does insist that the Reds are interested in the striker and are now hoping to open talks with his agent, Mino Raiola.
Apart from Malen, Liverpool also have their eyes on Ajax’s Ryan Gravenberch. The 19-year-old midfielder is an academy product of the Dutch giants and had his big breakthrough in the season gone by, during which he featured 47 times across all competitions, scoring five goals and setting up six more.
Liverpool’s need for a new central midfielder is well-known following the departure of Gravenberch’s compatriot Georginio Wijnaldum, who signed for Paris Saint-Germain upon the expiry of his contract with the Reds. With Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also facing uncertain futures at the club, someone like Gravenberch, who can do the job as a No. 6 or a No. 8, can be a useful addition in the short and long run.
However, unlike Malen, a move for Gravenberch is much more difficult to push through this summer, with the teenage midfielder set to stay at Ajax for another year at least. Liverpool, however, are hoping to explore the possibility of signing him for 2022, similar to the way they secured a deal for Keita a year before he actually arrived.
Both Malen and Gravenberch are currently away on international duty with the Netherlands at the UEFA Euro. Talks over their futures will only take place once the tournament is out of the way. For now, Liverpool are interested in the Dutch duo and are planning to open talks with Raiola soon to assess the possibility of a transfer.
