Man Utd could get revenge for Cody Gakpo transfer with Liverpool target 'keen to play under Erik ten Hag'

Manchester United will seek to sign one of Liverpool’s main transfer targets this summer, a report has claimed.

It emerged earlier this month that Liverpool have pulled out of the race to sign Jude Bellingham, due to the transfer fee the England international is likely to command.

However, Jurgen Klopp is still looking to rejuvenate his midfield this summer, with the club having been linked to a series of players across the continent.

According to the Athletic, discussions have been carried out by Liverpool’s senior recruitment staff in recent weeks to determine who would be available of the players they’ve tracked, and what fee would they command.

Mason Mount, Conor Gallagher, Moises Caicedo, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch are just a few of the names that have been tipped to join the Anfield side at the end of the season.

Indeed, the latter’s father allegedly held “positive” talks with Liverpool earlier this month. Gravenberch has made just one start from his 28 appearances for Bayern Munich and is allegedly open to the idea of moving to Liverpool this summer.

However, the player could also be enticed by Liverpool’s fiercest rivals, United.

Gravenberch to United

Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna claimed Gravenberch would be keen to work with United boss Erik ten Hag.

The 20-year-old broke into the Ajax first team under Ten Hag and according to the report, both the player and manager “would be happy to work together again.”

Aouna claimed last week that United have “already expressed” an interest in Gravenberch and would be meeting with his representatives soon.

Should United sign Gravenberch ahead of Liverpool it would be perceived as revenge for the Anfield club’s hijacking of Cody Gakpo.

The Old Trafford club had been pursuing Gakpo for months, but the Netherlands international ultimately move to Liverpool in a stunning transfer twist.

Man Utd were in talks to sign Gakpo before Liverpool hijacked their deal for the Netherlands international in January.

Indeed, Ten Hag wanted to make Gravenberch one of his first signings at Old Trafford but the Dutch international opted for a £16.3million move to Bayern Munich instead.

Gravenberch said at the time, in an interview with De Telegraaf: “Manchester United is a very big and beautiful club. But I already had such a good feeling at Bayern Munich and I had given my word.”

Topics: Football, Manchester United, Liverpool, Transfers, Ryan Gravenberch, Jurgen Klopp, Erik Ten Hag

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.