Saturday, May 14, 2022 at 10:30 am• Mart Oude Nijeweeme • Last update: 10:32

The negotiations between Ajax and Bayern Munich regarding Ryan Gravenberch seem to be at an impasse. The midfielder has been coveted by the German record champion for some time, but a breakthrough is far from being possible, coach Julian Nagelsmann acknowledged. The German is happy that he will have Noussair Mazraoui available from next season. The defender comes transfer-free and will sign a contract with Bayern for four seasons.

According to Nagelsmann, the talks with Mazraoui went very smoothly from the first moment. “I didn’t feel like we needed mega persuasion,” the trainer admits. “He was immediately keen and felt that he only wanted to play for us. We need players like Mazraoui. I’m happy to have such a hungry player join us. We are currently in the final phase of negotiations, there are a few details still need to be finalized. If that works out, we will be very happy with him. He is a very good player.”

How different is the situation of Gravenberch. The midfielder still has a contract until next summer, which means that the German national champion has to come up with a transfer amount to release him from Ajax. However, the two clubs are not yet able to find each other in terms of supply and demand. In April . reported The Telegraph that Bayern wanted to pay an amount of 23 million euros including bonuses, while Ajax is betting on 30 million. “As far as Gravenberch is concerned, an agreement is not yet close,” Nagelsmann said during the weekly press conference.

Ajax watcher Mike Verweij nevertheless expects Gravenberch to have played his last match for Ajax. The midfielder is currently recovering from an injury. Last Wednesday he celebrated Ajax’s championship party on crutches. “I think things are slowly creeping in the right direction at Gravenberch,” said Verweij. “Bayern is moving slightly and something can still be done with the committee of Mino Raiola’s office. Bayern said they no longer want to increase the transfer fee, but I understood that it has gone up slightly in the latest proposal”