Bayern Munich midfielder Ryan Gravenberch has expressed his desire to gain regular first-team football next season amid reported interest from Liverpool.
After spending four years in the senior team at Ajax, the 20-year-old decided to join Bayern in a deal worth an initial €18m last summer.
However, Gravenberch has struggled for game time in his debut campaign at the Allianz Arena, starting just three of his 27 appearances across all competitions.
The midfielder started his first and only Bundesliga game to date against Borussia Monchengladbach in February, before being taken off at half time, while he has played the full 90 minutes in two Champions League group-stage matches against Viktoria Plzen and Inter Milan.
A recent report claims that Liverpool have opened talks with Gravenberch about a potential move to Anfield in the summer transfer window.
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However, Bayern are said to be reluctant to sell the Netherlands international and are keen for him to remain as a member of the first-team squad.
Gravenberch, who is under contract at the Allianz Arena until June 2027, has voiced his frustrations over his current situation and has insisted that his game time "has to change next season".
"In the beginning, of course, I had to get used to it here. A new environment," Gravenberch told Dutch news outlet VI, "Everything goes so much faster, sometimes training sessions just felt like competitions. But I feel that getting used to it has been behind me for a while now."
The midfielder added: "Training and playing at the top level for a year is beautiful and instructive. Although playing, it is mainly training.
"That has to change next season, then I really want to play weekly again. I haven't spoken to the club management yet, so just wait and see what happens. But it is clear that this role does not match my expectations."
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Bayern head coach Thomas Tuchel, who took the reins last month following the dismissal of Julian Nagelsmann, has spoken about the qualities Gravenberch possesses, but has suggested that the midfielder must remain "patient" before being handed regular starts.
"I see his qualities in training," Tuchel told reporters, as quoted by The Mirror, shortly after his appointment. "It's hard to try things now. He's training well.
"He's a number eight who can turn and dribble very well. Now it's about being patient. It's about fighting to be there."
It remains to be seen whether Gravenberch will be granted the desired game time next season, and the midfielder could face further competition for places due to the arrival of Konrad Laimer on a free transfer from RB Leipzig this summer.
Should Gravenberch push for a summer exit, Liverpool would likely be at the front of the queue for his signature, although the likes of Manchester United – who are managed by the midfielder's former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag – and Arsenal are also believed to be keeping tabs on his situation.
Oliver Thomas
