Before the opening of the transfer window this summer, Liverpool were said to be looking to secure a new attacker to replace Egyptian international Mohamed Salah.
Although they were reportedly linked with a number of wingers and centre-forwards midway through last season, they did not make a move until just before the deadline.
In the end, Liverpool acquired Italian international Federico Chiesa, who was treated as an out-of-form player at Juventus, but he is seen as more of a backup than a long-term successor. If he plays a big role this season, he will quickly become a regular contender.
According to Christian Falk (German journalist), Liverpool have made contact with German international Brajan Gruda, who was at Mainz at the time and then moved to Brighton, through the transfer market this summer. It is also reported that Bayern Munich were also interested.
“One other English club also knocked on the door this summer – it was Liverpool,”
“I heard that Liverpool were interested in him and perhaps they made a mistake not getting concrete with this one.”
“That’s also the case for Bayern Munich, of course! In the end, they all couldn’t give him guarantees for this position, but they tried. They saw the big talent of Gruda.”
“Liverpool were the only club from England’s Big Six who were talking with the management, but in the middle class of clubs in England there were plenty of sides who were interested in him.”
“If Liverpool had been concrete for Gruda, it would have been a big challenge for Brighton to sign him.”
CaughtOffside
The 20-year-old winger scored four goals and provided three assists in 29 games last season. He has also been used at centre-forward and has started a number of games as an attacking midfielder. His outstanding performances in the Bundesliga were enough to generate interest from a number of clubs.
The young 20-year-old attacker will eventually join Brighton and await the challenge of the Premier League, but will he be able to settle into English football and take his career forward…?