Bayern Munich have reportedly ruled out the summer sale of Ryan Gravenberch amid strong interest from Liverpool.
Having pulled out of the race to sign Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham due to his £130m price tag, the Reds are searching the market for cheaper midfield alternatives.
Dutch starlet Gravenberch had apparently emerged as a leading candidate, having struggled to adapt to life in the Bundesliga during his debut campaign for Bayern.
The 20-year-old has played second fiddle to Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka this term, while the loan exit of Marcel Sabitzer to Manchester United has not improved his fortunes much either.
Furthermore, Bayern are expected to sign Konrad Laimer on a free transfer from RB Leipzig this summer, potentially pushing Gravenberch further down the pecking order.
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Seeking to take advantage of the situation, Liverpool apparently stepped up their interest last week and initiated contacts with Gravenberch's camp to propose a summer move.
A report from Sky Sports News earlier on Monday stated that the Dutchman was seduced by the pitch, and he would welcome the chance to reignite his career under Jurgen Klopp.
It was alleged that Bayern were happy to part ways with Gravenberch for at least £20m this summer, having forked out just €18.5m (£16.3m) to prise him away from Ajax last year.
However, journalist Florian Plettenberg states the opposite, claiming that Bayern have no intention of parting ways with the midfielder and have informed him as such.
Plettenberg adds that Bayern expect Gravenberch to enjoy a breakthrough season in Bavaria next term, forcing Liverpool to look elsewhere in their search for engine room reinforcements.
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Gravenberch has just one goal and one assist to his name from 27 appearances for the German champions this season, and both of those contributions came in a DFB-Pokal first-round win over third-tier Viktoria Koln.
The 2002-born lynchpin has started just one Bundesliga game this season - appearing off the bench in a further 17 - although he featured from the first whistle twice in the Champions League group stages.
Gravenberch was an unused substitute in last week's 3-0 quarter-final first-leg loss to Manchester City, though, and he is expected to be named on the bench for Wednesday's second-leg too.
Liverpool will wave goodbye to all of Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Juventus loanee Arthur this summer, and it remains to be seen if James Milner will sign an extension as well.
Brighton & Hove Albion's Alexis Mac Allister and Chelsea's Mason Mount are believed to be high up the Reds' midfield shortlist alongside Gravenberch, whose Bayern contract runs for another four years.
Ben Knapton
