Arsenal will reportedly target Bayern Munich midfielder Ryan Gravenberch as an alternative to Declan Rice if they fail to sign the West Ham standout.
The Gunners are in the market for a new midfielder heading into this summer’s transfer window.
They failed to snatch Moises Caicedo from Brighton before they signed Jorginho from Chelsea as a cheaper alternative in January.
The World Cup winner has made a positive impact since joining Arsenal but they are still keen to strengthen in that area of the pitch.
Over the past couple of months, it has been heavily reported that Rice is their preferred target in that area. West Ham are resigned to their star player moving on this summer and it is expected that he will cost as much as £80m.
Arsenal will be wary that they will face competition in the race to sign Rice. Chelsea have also been linked with the Englishman after he spent time with them as an academy product.
The Gunners should therefore have backup options in mind in case they miss out on Rice and they are said to have an interest in Gravenberch.
The 20-year-old signed for Bayern Munich last summer from Ajax but he is being targeted by Premier League clubs after only playing sparingly in the Bundesliga this term.
Journalist Graeme Bailey is now reporting that Arsenal have interest in Gravenberch but he is not their “first-choice”.
“I think Thomas Tuchel would like to keep [Gravenberch] this summer, but I don’t think the player is willing to wait on that, he knows that he has Premier League options and suddenly he has some big Premier League options,” Bailey said on the Talking Transfers podcast.
“Liverpool like him a lot, Arsenal potentially instead of Declan Rice if he doesn’t go there, Manchester United see him as a potential player as well. He probably wouldn’t be first-choice for those two, but Liverpool need midfield reinforcements.”
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Ex-Spurs midfielder Rafael van der Vaart now spends a lot of his time coming out with daft statements. He’s now claimed that Gravenberch should have joined Tottenham instead of Bayern Munich.
“Am I driving everyone to the closet with that?” Van der Vaart said on Ziggo Sport.
“It’s my opinion, but I understand that people disagree. I really think so. Only the choice of club makes the difference.
“I think he is much better than Bellingham in his talent. Only Bellingham plays every week and…
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