Erik ten Hag is looking to add to his first-team squad, so Manchester United is looking to bring in another player.
The Express says that Ryan Gravenberch, a midfielder for Bayern Munich who is struggling to get on the field this season, could be a dream replacement for Jude Bellingham for Man United.
Soon after Ten Hag became United’s manager, the club wanted to reunite him with the young player, but he ended up going to Bayern Munich for only £21 million.
The Dutchman wants to add Bellingham to his star-studded team in the summer, but at £130 million and with a lot of competition, Gravenberch might be the best option.
Ten Hag knows the 20-year-old very well because he gave him his Ajax debut in 2018. He played 103 times for the club and became one of the most sought-after players in the Eredivisie.
In fact, Gravenberch was great last season. He scored twice and set up five goals, giving him an average Sofascore of 7.17. He helped Ajax win the league title by just two points over PSV Eindhoven.
From the middle of the field, he showed how creative he was by making six big chances, making 1.1 key passes, and making 66.5 touches per game. His play eventually led Bayern to sign the youngster.
It hasn’t been easy for the midfielder in Munich this season, though. He has only played 177 minutes in ten Bundesliga games, as he has struggled to break through and get regular playing time. Ten Hag may see this as an opportunity to bring him to Old Trafford.
Gravenberch ranks in the top 15% of his positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues in terms of total shots, shot-creating actions, touches in the attacking penalty area, and progressive passes received per 90 minutes. This shouldn’t stop United from making a move.
Marcel van der Kraan, a journalist, has said good things about Gravenberch in the past. He said, “His great skills and technique may be why he stood out so early and why Ajax picked him and brought him to the academy. They could easily give him an extra three or four years. Then people found out this kid was only 12 years old. They thought he would be the best in the world.
The star who makes £155k a week could keep getting better at United and forget about his time in the Bundesliga, which would bring him back together with Ten Hag.
For Old Trafford fans, Bellingham might be the best choice, but Gravenberch could be the dream alternative, and for a lot less money.
