Brajan Gruda to Brighton: How Liverpool missed out on the German winger | OneFootball

Reds Miss Out on Talented Winger Signing: Brajan Gruda’s Brighton Move

Liverpool’s interest in 20-year-old German winger Brajan Gruda has been confirmed, with the club missing out on his signing during the summer transfer window. Gruda, who broke through at Mainz, ultimately joined Brighton in a deal worth £25 million, leaving many fans to wonder why the Reds failed to secure his services.

Gruda’s Rise: A German Starlet in Demand

Brajan Gruda emerged as one of Germany’s most exciting young talents, catching the eye of top clubs across Europe. With his ability to play both as a right winger and in a central attacking role, Gruda became an integral part of Mainz’s first team last season. He made 28 Bundesliga appearances, scoring four goals and providing three assists, proving his value on the big stage.

The winger’s performances attracted attention from clubs like Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Aston Villa, and Newcastle United, all of whom were linked with moves for him over the summer. However, it was Brighton who secured the transfer, capitalising on the situation to sign Gruda for £25 million—far less than the initially reported £42.1 million (€50 million).

Photo: IMAGO

Game Time: The Key Factor in Gruda’s Transfer Decision

Christian Falk, a respected German journalist, recently revealed the reason Liverpool missed out on Gruda’s signature. Falk explained that while Liverpool were interested, they couldn’t guarantee the game time Gruda was looking for, which ultimately led him to choose Brighton.

“One other English club also knocked on the door this summer – it was Liverpool,” Falk said. “I heard that Liverpool were interested in him and perhaps they made a mistake not getting concrete with this one. In the end, they all couldn’t give him guarantees for this position, but they tried. They saw the big talent of Gruda.”

Brighton, on the other hand, could offer Gruda more opportunities to develop and play regular football, something that is often a crucial factor for young players. Falk’s comments highlight a growing trend among emerging talents preferring clubs where they can play more frequently, even if it means turning down bigger teams.

Liverpool’s January Move? Future Prospects for Gruda

Though Liverpool missed out on Gruda this summer, there’s speculation that the young winger’s time at Brighton might be a stepping stone to a bigger move later on. Brighton have a proven track record of developing players, with stars like Alexis Mac Allister, Ben White, and Moises Caicedo making significant strides before moving on to more prominent clubs.

Liverpool could still make a January move for Gruda, particularly if his form at Brighton continues to impress. Falk alluded to this possibility, saying: “If Liverpool had been concrete for Gruda, it would have been a big challenge for Brighton to sign him.” While the Reds may regret not acting more decisively this summer, they may have another chance to secure his signature in the future.

What Gruda’s Move Means for Liverpool

Missing out on Gruda is a reminder of the competitive nature of the transfer market, where even a club like Liverpool can be outmanoeuvred by teams offering better developmental opportunities. Gruda’s move also raises questions about the Reds’ approach to securing young talent, especially when it comes to providing assurances of game time.

For now, Gruda will continue his development at Brighton, with Liverpool potentially keeping an eye on his progress. If the winger lives up to his potential, a future move to a top-six club, including Liverpool, remains a real possibility.