Liverpool's Gravenberch transfer UNLOCKS Man Utd's Amrabat saga

Tom Weber

Updated: 31 Aug 2023 19:44 BST
4 min read

Erik ten Hag, Man Utd, Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool — © ProShots

Liverpool's signing of Ryan Gravenberch may kick off an epic transfer domino that could culminate in Manchester United finally signing Sofyan Amrabat.

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The Reds have agreed a €40 million deal with Bayern Munich for the Dutch starlet after the Bavarians indicated that they may, after all, be willing to let him go. This decision is perhaps informed by head coach Thomas Tuchel's persistent calls for a new defensive midfielder, the choice for which seems to have fallen on Fulham's Joao Palhinha.

The Cottagers, however, are demanding a massive fee with deadline day approaching. Given that Bayern have already spent €155m - a mind-boggling amount by Bundesliga standards - they will need assurances of a significant cash injection, which the sale of Gravenberch provides.

READ: 'HERE WE GO' - Liverpool and Bayern AGREE Gravenberch deal

Fulham will, in turn, use the money from the Palhinha departure to sign a replacement. Intriguingly, Sky Sports reports that the west London club are looking at - and have already enquired about - Man Utd's Scott McTominay even though he is a different profile to Palhina.

McTominay to fund Amrabat move

All summer, the talk regarding United's potential move for priority midfield target Sofyan Amrabat has been about how they first need to seal some sales before they can make a move, but this has proved difficult to achieve.

McTominay potentially moving to Fulham significantly changes the equation; in fact, the Scot holds the key to Erik ten Hag's reunion with his former Utrecht protégé. If he were to depart, Man Utd could finally approach Fiorentina with a serious offer.

READ: Forget Gravenberch! Liverpool NEED Bayern target Palhinha

The Serie A side have already indicated that they may be willing to loan Amrabat but only if the deal includes an obligation to buy, something United are reluctant to accept given the uncertainty surrounding Financial Fair Play and the takeover saga.

Selling McTominay - and backup goalkeeper Dean Henderson - would raise the necessary funds to agree to a loan with an obligation or to buy the Moroccan outright.