FC Bayern Munich signs Ryan Gravenberch from Ajax Amsterdam

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Ryan Gravenberch, here still in the Ajax Amsterdam shirt in the honors division, end of March 2022

Photo: Maurice Van Steen / dpa

Sadio Mané's poker is entering the decisive phase, the tug-of-war with Robert Lewandowski is far from over - with Ryan Gravenberch (20), on the other hand, FC Bayern have finally nailed it.

The Dutch international has signed a contract with Munich until 2027.

"Ryan Gravenberch is a young, highly interesting player who many top European clubs would have liked to sign," said Bayern boss Oliver Kahn in a statement.

“He chose FC Bayern because he can develop at the highest level here.

Players with their qualities are important for FC Bayern’s future.«

The transfer fee to Ajax Amsterdam is said to be 18.5 million euros, which can be increased by a further 5.5 million euros through performance-based bonuses.

In addition, the Dutch record champions would receive a 7.5 percent share in any resale.

Gravenberch would have been tied to Ajax until 2023.

Gravenberch landed at Munich Airport on Saturday morning.

»Bayern is a big club.

I think you have to win big titles here.

And that's also what I expect.

I'm glad to be here in Munich now," he said to "Bild."

For FC Bayern it is the second signing for the coming season - and the second national player that the Munich team bring from Amsterdam.

Moroccan Noussair Mazraoui had previously received a contract with the German record champions until 2026 – the right-back, however, did not cost a fee.

Change from Sadio Mané allegedly only a question of transfer

While in the case of Lewandowski, who was willing to leave and therefore nagging, there seems to have been a little calm in the past few days, Mané's move from Liverpool to Munich is probably only a question of the transfer fee: both clubs are said to be around ten million euros apart.

FC Bayern recently offered 35 million euros.

Sport director Hasan Salihamidžić did not want to comment on the status of the negotiations, but emphasized at Bild: “Basically we are trying to strengthen our team, we are also working on some options on the offensive.

But the transfer market is not easy and always depends on the club's financial capabilities."

Mané is said to have already called Julian Nagelsmann and assured him that he would fill any position the coach gave him.

The 30-year-old Senegalese international can be used very flexibly in attack, but above all on the wings.

He is scheduled to sign by 2025.

Gravenberch has gone through all the national teams in the Netherlands since the U15s.

He has made ten appearances for the senior team so far.

Like right-back Mazraoui (24), he was a regular at Ajax. Since making his debut in September 2018, he has made 72 appearances (seven goals/eleven assists) in the Eredivisie and 14 (1/1) in the Champions League.

In contrast to Mazraoui, who is supposed to play right-back in Munich, Gravenberch still has to fight for a place in midfield: Corentin Tolisso is gone, Marc Roca can also go – Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, Jamal Musiala, Thomas Müller and Marcel Sabitzer remain as great competition.

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