Ryan Gravenberch’s agent has suggested that he would love for the Liverpool star to play for Real Madrid in the future.
Jose Fortes, who works for the Team Raiola agency, made the comments in an interview that was published by Spanish outlet Marca on Thursday. The 22-year-old Netherlands international, who was spuriously linked with a move to the Bernabeu last November, has emerged as a key player for Arne Slot’s team this year, cementing himself as the Reds’ first-choice holding midfielder during his second season with the club.
Gravenberch arrived from Bayern Munich two years ago and experienced an unremarkable first season with the club, under previous manager Jurgen Klopp, before fully proving his quality under Slot.
Liverpool fans will be hoping that he stays at the club for years to come but Fortes’ comments suggest that a move to Madrid in the future could appeal. “He’s good enough for Real Madrid,” Fortes said. “We would love for him to play for them, but Liverpool would ask for a lot of money. I know they’ve had their eye on him, but now it’s impossible.”
Fortes, who represents a number of young Dutch players, also discussed his client’s 2023 transfer to Liverpool from Bayern Munich, the German club at which Gravenberch spent just one season.
“Ryan needed playing time to develop. I told Nagelsmann (Bayern’s coach at the time) that if he didn’t play, he would leave.” Fortes recalled. “We were clear that he had to go to Liverpool; he fit in perfectly with this team.”
(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Fortes has represented Gravenberch since he was a child and recalled how he turned down the chance to take the midfielder to Barcelona in favor of developing his career in the Netherlands with Ajax.
Gravenberch was born in Amsterdam and spent 12 years at Ajax, joining as a young boy in 2010 before leaving for Munich in 2022. “When Ryan was 16, Barca called us. They wanted to sign him, but his father and I prioritized his development,” Fortes said. “At Ajax, he was able to develop in a way that he possibly wouldn’t have at Barca.”
It’s worth noting that, in the same interview, Fortes talked up the possibility of several of his clients making the move to La Liga, suggesting that Micky van de Ven could move to Real Madrid, Justin Kluivert could move to Atletico Madrid, and Brian Brobbey could move to “a club like Sevilla or Real Betis.”
