11 Aug 2023 14:12:18
Not heard much of a mention of Ryan Gravenberch. I seem to remember Ed02 intimated that he would be keen on a move to Utd and I imagine he would cost less than Amrabat. Seeing as we are likely losing Fred, McT and Donny, I would love to see Gravenberch come in since he can cover practcally any midfield position. Add to that he's still quite young, already knows the manager's system and most of all, is actually keen on a move.

{Ed002's Note - Ryan Gravenberch (CM/DM/AM) Versatile midfield player who only joined Bayern Munich last summer and wasn't to be for sale, unless the Head Coach decides he can join the lengthy list of players now available as he looks towards a rebuild and with Brazzo Salihamidzic being sacked that has become more likely. I am not aware of any approach by Liverpool to Bayern Munich at this time, but that may change, and Team Mino are certainly not offering him around, but they have had enquiries from a number of clubs, including Manchester City. The player is making demands about being a starter and game time and Bayern Munich have told Team Mino he can be sold. Newcastle may offer up an acceptable bid, they are certainly interested. There is interest from Italy but that may not suit the player. The player has made it clear he would like his next move to be to Manchester United and they may provide an option if available. Liverpool will likely offer another option and will have spoken with his Agents. A wildcard maybe Juventus.}

1.) 11 Aug 2023
11 Aug 2023 14:25:39
Thanks for the info Ed02. Are United considering him as an option?

{Ed002's Note - It will depend on departures.}

2.) 11 Aug 2023
11 Aug 2023 14:31:19
If the transfer sum isn't outrageous he's got to be a good shout to give an actual chance. Ed I know you don't like talking money but would a reasonable amount be able to acquire him or would Bayern be looking for a very high sum to sell him?

{Ed077's Note - €30m might be the ball park figure.}

3.) 11 Aug 2023
11 Aug 2023 14:39:28
An absolute steal at that price.
Plays multiple positions, still young and has a very good relationship with ten hag. Will hopefully get the best out of him.

Only issue is would he come if he wasn’t a guaranteed starter?

Mount, Bruno and Casemiro will be our starting 3 so will need to to work to get them out the team.

4.) 11 Aug 2023
11 Aug 2023 14:51:18
30M Euros in this day and age where midfielders are going for 105/ 110M of the queens finest seems like a real steal. Would be lovely to get both him and Amrabat but obviously the paths of Mejbri and Mainoo gets blocked which isn't nice. Thanks for the info Eds.

5.) 11 Aug 2023
11 Aug 2023 15:19:00
Would much rather him than Amrabat. Granted, Amrabat is a better Cas deputy right now, but Gravenberch has a much higher ceiling. If both are priced around the €30m mark, it seems like an easy choice to me. Obviously, Ten Haag may see things differently though, especially having worked with Gravenberch at Ajax.

6.) 11 Aug 2023
11 Aug 2023 23:54:19
Imagine both Arambat and Gravenberch! Wow. It’s probably doable if Mctominay leaves….
I think we need Arambat more though. We really struggled without Casemiro last season.

7.) 12 Aug 2023
12 Aug 2023 10:42:44
Pavard and Gravenberch in.

Maguire, Fred, McTominay out.

Could be a big overhaul in players hopefully they gel quickly.

8.) 12 Aug 2023
12 Aug 2023 13:03:57
Gravenberch is the profile of player i would like to see us target, ypung and takented, suits Ten Hag system, struggled in Germany last year but he is very young at a very comoetitive club in a new country, wouldn't read mucb into it.

Arambaat i am undecided on really, don't know much about him outside of WC and highlights if a couple of Fiorentina games.

9.) 12 Aug 2023
12 Aug 2023 16:36:41
I haven't really seen him play much this year, so I may be misremembering. From what I remember though I got the impression he was more suited to be part of a double pivot with a partner who sat deeper giving him more freedom to roam and win the ball, rather than being the main defensive midfielder. Like Fred but better with the ball.

IMO we need a midfielder who can partner Casemiro when a little extra defensively, and can anchor the midfield himself with Mount as a number 8.

10.) 12 Aug 2023
12 Aug 2023 17:19:30
Watch quite a bit of Ajax, under Ten Ha he played on the left side of a midfield two in front of Alvarez and alongside Berghuis. Berghuis generally the more advanced (Brhno role) and Gravenberch in what i assume is the Mount role. When the wide men drift inside he would also protect the left.

His place in the squad woukd be to cover for Mount, with Mount being the primary cover for Bruno. In truth i don't think Erikksen has the legs anymore for these roles. don't see him being much more than a sub this year and cup matches. He also is a sensibke head when needed and appears to be a good influence on the squad plus is well versed in the system.

Not saying he is a priority just he fits the profile of the type of players we should be going for.

Personally i think we are at least 2 yeara away and he can grow into the team.

11.) 13 Aug 2023
13 Aug 2023 12:00:13
I really like Gravenberch, but I'm not sure he is what we need right now.

Definitely more of a No.8 than either a 6 or 10 (although he can play those roles to varying degrees) . Personally I'd say he's a more effective carrier of the ball than a passer. That's not to say he isn't an accomplished passer, just that for me his best work in progressing the ball comes from when he drops the shoulder and drives forward through a line of pressure with the ball and takes 2-3 of the opposition players out of the play. He isn't the guy to pick out a killer through ball that unlocks the opposition very often.

From that perspective I feel he is far more suited to playing as a box to box 8 given the freedom to bomb forward with the ball at his feet. As a holding player (No.6) he won't have the same freedom to drive forward with the ball, and would have to rely more heavily on his passing to effect play in possession. While defensively/ off the ball he's okay but not outstanding. Capable of making tackles etc but clearly defensive work isn't his passion.

I think we need someone who's far more comfortable playing as a No.6/ holding midfielder someone whose first instinct is to win the ball and shield the defence. Whose skillset is based on reading the game and controlling the space in front of the defence. If they can also be an expensive passer of the ball, someone who can pick out a 50 or 60 yard forward pass to open the opposition up and turn defence into attack then great.

That's not Gravenberch though.

12.) 13 Aug 2023
13 Aug 2023 16:30:17
I like thuram if we can afford him, if not Ambrabat. Thuram has a super high ceiling. Watched him year live before last and thought here is a proper player and obviously getting better last year.