While headlines will inevitably focus on Ryan Gravenberch’s agent appearing to talk up a transfer to Real Madrid, the last line of Jose Fortes’ quote should quell any fears of a repeat Xabi Alonso situation at Liverpool.
Sixteen years after Real Madrid destroyed Rafa Benitez’s hopes of leading Liverpool to a maiden Premier League title – they went from runners-up with Xabi Alonso in 2008/09 to a distant seventh without him the following campaign – is Ryan Gravenberch destined to follow in his footsteps?
Well, no. At least, not right now, and not for the foreseable future either.
Because while the Dutchman’s agent confirms that Real Madrid have shown an interest in Gravenberch at one point or another in his still-young career, it is simply ‘impossible’ that Liverpool would consider cashing in on a player who’s value will have soared considerably since his £38 million arrival at Anfield from Bayern Munich.
“He’s good enough for Real Madrid,” Jose Fortes tells Marca. “We would love for him to play for them, but Liverpool would ask for a lot of money.
“I know [Real Madrid] have had their eye on him. But, now, it’s impossible.”
Ryan Gravenberch backs up Jude Bellingham claims as Liverpool star shines
Fortes is unlikely to be Mr Popular amongst the Liverpool supporters right about now. No fan every wants to see a player’s agent openly flirting with another continental powerhouse, of course.
Especially given The Reds’ history when it comes to losing star players to Spanish giants when on the verge of constructing a potentially era-defining squad.
See Alonso in 2009, and Luis Suarez’s move to Barcelona five years later.
Yet, those who have had the pleasure of witnessing Gravenberch prance and dance his way through Premier League midfielders like Fred Astaire on a newly-buffed dancefloor will have few reasons to disagree with Fortes’ assessment that this is a footballer worthy of the Real Madrid white.
“This year, he has got the trust and the confidence. He can show his quality week in, week out, every few days,” Liverpool captain and fellow Dutchman Virgil van Dijk said back in January.
“I am very impressed with him, not only on the pitch but outside the pitch as well. The consistency he is showing, he is a world-class player and he can only get better.
“He has been almost flawless this season.”
As recently as September, when Rafael van der Vaart reiterated his belief that Gravenberch is capable of operating at a higher level than Jude Bellingham, the Dutch icon knew that he would face his fair share of ribbing.
Seven months on, however, such claims do not feel quite so pie in the sky.
Gravenberch has already come out on top against Real Madrid star
Fortes, who presided over Gravenberch’s switch from Ajax to Bayern Munich while still a teenager, certainly feels that his client would not look out of place alongside Bellingham in a Los Blancos midfield.
And when Liverpool made light work of the reigning Champions League holders during this season’s revamped first phase, a swaggering Gravenberch resembled a much older brother swatting aside his younger siblings.
Bellingham and co powerless to prevent a dominant Anfield performance.
“I took quite a lot of stick when I said [initially in 2023] that Ryan Gravenberch has the potential to be better than Jude Bellingham, but I stand by it,” Van der Vaart argued. “I’ve always said the sky’s the limit for him if he can use his full potential and ability.
“I’m not surprised by how good he’s been this season both for Liverpool and the Netherlands. Arne Slot has found a spot for him in the team at Liverpool and he’s thriving. He’s strong, quick and intelligent.
“Liverpool fans should be very excited about what’s to come.”
A future next to Jude Bellingham at the Santiago Bernabeu can never be ruled out, of course. But, at the age of just 22 and considering just how rapidly he has developed over the previous twelve months, Gravenberch still has so much more to achieve in a Liverpool shirt.
Better than Bellingham? With November’s Champions League midfield masterclass still fresh in the memory, Gravenberch need not swap Merseyside for Madrid to prove that Van der Vaart had a point.
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