Ryan Gravenberch reveals he turned down Man Utd to seal Bayern Munich move

Ryan Gravenberch has admitted that he turned down the chance to sign for Manchester United as he had already given his word to join Bayern Munich instead.

The highly-rated 20-year-old is all but officially a Bayern player and his transfer from Ajax is expected to be completed this week.

Gravenberch exclusively played under new Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag in Amsterdam and the door was open to the two reuniting at Old Trafford, but the midfielder has explained why he spurned the Red Devils' advances.

"Manchester United is a very big and nice club. But I already had such a good feeling at Bayern and I had them given my word," he told De Telegraaf.

Gravenberch will be joined at Bayern by former Ajax teammate Noussair Mazraoui, who has signed for the Bavarian club on a free transfer.


Listen now to 90min's brand new podcast, Talking Transfers, with Scott SaundersGraeme Bailey & Toby Cudworth. This week Harry Symeou steps in for Scott and the trio discuss the futures of Bukayo Saka, Rafael Leao, Romelu Lukaku, Kalvin Phillips, Youri Tielemans, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Raphinha, Gabriel Jesus and more.


The Morocco international was heavily linked with a move to Barcelona instead, but Gravenberch is happy that the duo will be playing together at the Allianz Arena.

"I like the fact that Nous [Mazraoui] is going there [Bayern] too. It's always nice when you already know someone," he added.

Gravenberch also revealed that he came close to signing a new contract at Ajax but simply could not resist the chance to move to Germany.

"In the end Ajax made me a royal offer, and if Bayern hadn't made such a good impression, I would certainly have signed," he explained. “I walked around there for 12 years and Ajax has made me the player I am today.

"I think it is logical that Ajax earns something from me, because the club has always been good to me. We part as good friends. My love for the club will always remain."


Source : 90min