Gravenberch's "unhappiness" explained by Tuchel ahead of Liverpool transfer

01 September 2023 , 11:54

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Thomas Tuchel has spoken about Ryan Gravenberch's imminent move to Liverpool (Image: Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)

Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that Ryan Gravenberch has been allowed to discuss a transfer to Liverpool as he "wasn't happy" with his game time at Bayern Munich.

Gravenberch, 21, has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League all summer after starting just three matches in the Bundesliga for Bayern last year following his switch from Ajax.

The Reds and Manchester United have both been credited with an interest in Gravenberch's services in recent weeks, but it is Liverpool who are now in pole position to acquire the midfielder, with the Dutchman currently on Merseyside for a medical. A deal worth £35million has been agreed with Bayern Munich for the youngster.

In a press conference on Friday, Tuchel confirmed that Gravenberch was set to move on and revealed that the midfielder had wanted to seek opportunities elsewhere "for a while".

Tuchel said of Gravenberch: “He wasn't happy with his situation here as he sees the chance in Liverpool to fight for a place in a 4-3-3. He's wanted to go for a while. An offer came in, we discussed it. The outcome is clear”.

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If all goes accordingly with the formalities of the deal and a medical, Gravenberch is set to become the fourth new midfielder to join the Reds this summer after Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo.

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Tuchel revealed Gravenbech had grown unhappy in the wake of his limited game time at Bayern Munich (Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

German outlet BILD outlined on Thursday that Gravenberch had already held private talks with Jurgen Klopp ahead of the proposed switch; a tactic that the Liverpool manager used to persuade Mac Allister and Szoboszlai to make the switch to Anfield.

Mac Allister made it clear that Klopp's influence was a crucial factor in his decision to join the Reds from Anfield, saying previously: “After the season ended, I had the chance to talk to Klopp and he told me about the club, the city and what he wanted.

“The main thing was that from the first moment, they communicated with my family and with me, they wanted me to be there. When I was able to speak with the coach, it was made even clearer. It’s the small details that made me choose Liverpool."

Szoboszlai was also full of praise for Klopp after talking to the German. He said after his transfer from RB Leipzig: "We talked as if we had known each other for a thousand years. In addition to being one of the best coaches in the world, he is also absolutely overwhelming humanly."

Dan Marsh