Bayern Munich star dodges question on potential Liverpool move after UCL elimination against Manchester City
Bayern Munich midfielder Ryan Gravenberch reportedly dodged a question about a potential transfer to Liverpool following his team's UEFA Champions League elimination against Manchester City.
The Bavarian giants drew the second leg of the quarterfinals 1-1 on Wednesday (April 19) but lost the tie 4-1 on aggregate. Gravenberch did not play a single minute across both legs.
The 20-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool this summer after failing to nail down a position in the Bayern starting XI. His 27 appearances across competitions this season have amounted to just 712 minutes of action.
After the game, Gravenberch was asked about a potential switch to Anfield in the summer. As per BILD (h/t Metro), he refused to be drawn into answering the question.
The Dutchman was close to following Erik ten Hag to Manchester United last summer but ended up joining Bayern Munich instead. He cost the Bavarian giants €18.5 million in transfer fees and signed a five-year deal at the Allianz Arena.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Reds have contacted Gravenberch's agent. However, Thomas Tuchel is apparently reluctant to part with the player. Liverpool's need for a new midfielder is well-known at this point.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and James Milner could leave as free agents this summer. Jordan Henderson and Fabinho Tavares, meanwhile, have been out of form for large parts of the season.
Bayern Munich levied record fine on former Liverpool star following Leroy Sane confrontation
Sadio Mane is said to have punched Leroy Sane in the face after Bayern Munich's first-leg 3-0 loss against Bayern Munich on April 11.
The former Liverpool winger was reportedly fined £350,000 and received a one-match suspension for his actions. The fine, according to Bayern expert Florian Plettenberg (h/t Planet Sport), was the highest in club history.
Mane was left out of his team's 1-1 Bundesliga draw against Hoffenheim on April 15. He was left on the bench against Manchester City in the return leg but came on for Sane in the 64th minute.
As per Plettenberg, the Senegal international doesn't fit into Thomas Tuchel's plans. The German tactician replaced Julian Nagelsmann as Bayern's head coach last month.
In an interview with Sky Germany, Plettenberg said:
"From a sporting point of view, Thomas Tuchel has no plans with Mane, as he doesn't fit his system. This is my information. The player is seen very critically internally."
Mane, 31, played as a winger in his heyday but has shifted to a more central role in recent years given his pace and stamina have taken a hit with age.