"Better than Jude Bellingham at everything" - Rafael van der Vaart makes incredible claim on Arsenal and Liverpool target
Real Madrid legend Rafael van de Vaart has said that Bayern Munich's Ryan Gravenberch is better than Arsenal and Liverpool target Jude Bellingham.
Gravenberch's future with Bayern is uncertain amid a lack of game time at the Allianz Arena this season. He joined the Bavarians from Ajax last summer for €18.5 million but has started just one league game.
Bellingham, 18, is one of Europe's most sought-after midfielders, but Liverpool recently dropped out of the race for his signature. The Merseysiders are concerned about Borussia Dortmund's £100 million valuation of the teenager.
Van de Vaart has suggested that Liverpool have made the right decision if they turn their attention to Gravenberch. He lauded his compatriot by saying that he's better than Bellingham in every aspect, telling ZiggoSport:
"Ryan Gravenberch is better than Jude Bellingham. At everything."
Gravenberch features on Jurgen Klopp's list of alternatives to Bellingham. He has featured 27 times across competitions, scoring one goal and providing an assist. The Dutch midfielder has been unable to showcase his talent at the Allianz Arena but enjoyed a meteoric rise at Ajax before last summer. He made 103 appearances at the Johan Cruyff Arena, scoring 12 goals and providing 13 assists.
Sky Sports Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg has reported that Liverpool are joined by Arsenal in pursuit of Gravenberch. However, Bayern are adamant the player is not for sale and that they will not listen to offers in the summer.
Neither Premier League club are thought to be in the race for Bellingham. The £100 million valuation appears to be too much of an ask for either club. The English teenager has been in superb form this season, scoring ten goals and providing seven assists in 38 games across competitions.
He has been handed a more prominent role by Dortmund than Gravenberch has at Bayern, captaining BvB on occasion.
Arsenal and Liverpool-target Alexis Mac Allister 100% guaranteed to leave Brighton
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has reported that Mac Allister, 24, is on his way out of Brighton & Hove Albion this summer, tweeting:
“Alexis Mac Allister and his camp consider a summer move away from Brighton as 100% guaranteed.The expectation is for an early transfer. Both Liverpool and Manchester United look set to open talks on the player’s side soon.”
Klopp's side are exploring alternatives to Bellingham, and Mac Allister is a name who features on their shortlist. The Merseysiders are frontrunners for his signature, while Manchester United and Arsenal are also showing interest, per FourFourTwo.
Mac Allister has scored ten goals and provided two assists in 30 games across competitions this season. He excelled at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar with Argentina as La Abiceleste lifted the trophy in December.
Arsenal have previous history with trying to tempt Brighton to sell a key player. The Gunners were rebuffed on three occasions in their attempts to sign Moises Caicedo in January. That could have consequences on their potential pursuit of Mac Allister.