Liverpool’s transfer business looks likely to be condensed into the month of August.
The Reds have become well known for having their incoming and outgoing transfers largely done by June or July in the past.
This year is different, though, and there’s very good reason for that. Not only has the summer been interrupted by international football, but Arne Slot is also new in the job.
Slot confirmed on Thursday that the lack of activity for Liverpool so far was by design, with the new head coach keen to get a sense of what he’s taking over in the Liverpool squad before taking any action.
But now that Slot has had several weeks to work with his players, things look likely to ramp up at Anfield.
Ryan Gravenberch attracting transfer interest
Unfortunately, it won’t actually be until August that Slot is able to meet and run the rule over all of his Liverpool players.
Even while the Reds kick-off their pre-season games in America, they are still missing 10 first-team players.
It is difficult to form opinions on players without having seen them play and therefore the three games in the US may leave more questions than answers for Slot.
Slot should still be able to name a strong team against Real Betis on Saturday, but the first line-ups of his tenure are unlikely to give us too many clues into how his Liverpool team will eventually look.
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Nevertheless, the 45-year-old can still make decisions about those that are missing without seeing them up close. And Turkish outlet Yeni Safak claim that is exactly what Slot has done with regards to Ryan Gravenberch.
Gravenberch says Slot’s style will suit his game, but according to Yeni Safak, the 22-year-old is ‘not considered in the squad’ by his new boss.
As a result, it’s claimed that Gravenberch is keen on leaving Anfield and Galatasaray are said to have identified him as the perfect partner for Lucas Torreira in midfield.
The Turkish champions are reportedly sending an entourage including president Dursun Ozbek to England in order to seal the move for Gravenberch. The Dutchman is claimed to be valued at around £25m, but Gala are said to be initially looking for a loan move.
Big days ahead for Ryan Gravenberch
This isn’t the first time we’ve heard of interest from Turkey in Gravenberch. However, it seems that for the moment, the former Ajax man is not actively pushing for a move.
Gravenberch is due to join pre-season over the coming days and the first impression he makes on Slot will be absolutely crucial.
Based on what Curtis Jones has been saying about Slot’s tactics, we think Gravenberch could actually be really important to Liverpool’s midfield this season.
He wasn’t at all bad during his debut campaign at Anfield and is still young enough to become a key player for the Reds. Former Real Madrid midfielder Rafael van der Vaart has long been a fan, calling Gravenberch a player of ‘unbelievable potential.’
Obviously, a loan move could still help him realise that potential at Liverpool by getting game time and coming back a better player. But we just can’t see it happening. It’s a big season – and a big few days – ahead for Gravenberch.
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