Liverpool to Retain Key Player Amid Real Madrid Interest, According to Report
Liverpool is set to retain one of their crucial players at the club when the 2025/26 season kicks off, despite interest from Real Madrid.
Though the futures of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold remain somewhat uncertain, as they will be out of contract at Liverpool at the end of the season, another player from Arne Slot’s squad has been drawing attention from other clubs.
Real Madrid appears to remain keen on acquiring Alexander-Arnold from Anfield; however, they may need to temper their interest in one Liverpool midfielder.
Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch expresses desire to stay
Although earlier reports suggested that Real Madrid was pursuing Ryan Gravenberch, the most recent updates from Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg indicate that the Dutch midfielder isn’t contemplating a departure from Liverpool within the next year.
Having established himself as a pivotal player in Slot’s team, Gravenberch is excelling and wishes to maintain this upward trajectory for both his club and national team. Additionally, a rumored swap deal involving Aurelien Tchouameni has been dismissed in the report, with Plettenberg underscoring that Liverpool has no intention of pursuing such a trade.
Gravenberch, who was signed from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2023 for £34.2m, initially had to wait for his opportunity last season at Liverpool. Although he made an impression at times with 38 appearances across all competitions, he struggled to secure a spot as a regular starter in Jurgen Klopp’s lineup.
Since Slot’s arrival at Anfield, however, his situation has dramatically improved, as his manager has effectively deployed him in a deep-lying midfield role. The 22-year-old has truly become one of the standout players for Liverpool this season, and his great form has overshadowed discussions regarding the Reds’ unsuccessful attempts to land Martin Zubimendi last summer.
With a current valuation of £45m by Transfermarkt, it would likely take nearly double that amount for Liverpool to even think about letting Gravenberch go. His contract has more than three years remaining, and at his age, he shows significant potential for further improvement.
In the opinion of FourFourTwo, Gravenberch’s decision to stay clear of Real Madrid is a wise one—especially considering that the club already has Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga in contention for spots in their midfield, both of whom are outstanding players in their own right.
Remaining at Liverpool, where he has developed into an immensely influential player with the chance to win silverware, is undoubtedly the right choice.
