Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch has been making the most of his summer break and his recent link-up with a rumoured Reds transfer target has set tongues wagging
Ryan Gravenberch has been snapped with Jorrel Hato during his summer break - just months after the Liverpool transfer target was seen at Anfield taking in a Premier League game.
The Reds have been linked to Hato on more than one occasion over the past 12 months in the wake of the impressive defender's emergence at Ajax. That coincided with Hato, 19, attending Liverpool's fixture with Ipswich Town back in January.
It was explained at the time, though, that Hato had been invited to the game by Gravenberch rather than travelling over for anything transfer-related.
The duo have been out and about again with the domestic season now done, with Gravenberch sharing a picture of them out for food on his Instagram story - and that could spark fresh speculation that Hato is Anfield-bound.
While further interest in Hato could materialise now that the summer transfer window is open, Ajax are in a strong bargaining position when it comes to the Netherlands star, who is under contract in Amsterdam until 2028.
The player himself has also attempted to cool speculation, saying: "I read it all [the transfer rumours]. But I also know that not everything was right.
"For my development it's best that I stay at Ajax now. I was invited by Ryan Gravenberch. But I didn't speak to a director there. Liverpool played well and the atmosphere in the stadium was good, but there is no more to say."
While it remains to be seen if Liverpool will try to prise Hato away from Amsterdam, the newly minted Premier League champions are expected to be busy this summer and have already snapped up Jeremie Frimpong from Eintracht Frankfurt.
The Reds are also working on a club-record swoop for Frankfurt's sought-after attacking midfielder, Florian Wirtz, after wooing the Germany star in talks. Bayern Munich were the red-hot favourites to sign him.
Further incomings are also expected with Milos Kerkez, the Bournemouth left-back, also on the club's summer wishlist. A new No.9 is expected to arrive before the start of the 2025-26 campaign, as well as a number of outgoings.
Caoimhin Kelleher is poised to become the first player to head through the exit door; the 26-year-old goalkeeper has agreed to join Brentford in a deal which could end up netting Liverpool £18m.