Brighton’s Brajan Gruda admits Liverpool dream after Bayern snub

Brighton midfielder Brajan Gruda has openly admitted he wants to play for Liverpool in the future, revealing he has already turned down interest from Bayern Munich as he keeps his long-term ambitions firmly in sight.

The 21-year-old has spoken candidly in an interview with Sky Germany, outlining his desire to reach the very top of European football despite still finding his feet at the Amex Stadium.

Gruda joined Brighton and Hove Albion in a €31.5m move in 2024 after breaking through in the Bundesliga, arriving with a reputation as one of Germany’s most exciting young midfielders.

While his role at Brighton has fluctuated — starting roughly 35% of matches this season — his ambition has not dimmed. Gruda has contributed four goals and eight assists across 45 appearances, but admits his eyes are firmly set on Champions League football.

“My biggest dream is to play in the Champions League and be a full international,” he said. “I want to play for a top club like Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Barcelona, or Liverpool.”

Gruda’s mention of Bayern Munich is particularly notable. The German giants had explored a move before his switch to England, continuing their long-standing policy of targeting standout Bundesliga talent.

“Of course, there was interest at the beginning,” Gruda confirmed. “But I can’t say more than that.”

Instead, Brighton won the race — in part due to their willingness to meet Mainz’s valuation, but also because of the club’s personal approach.

Despite now speaking openly about future aspirations, Gruda was clear that Brighton made the right impression when he moved.

“The deciding factor for me was that the club and the manager wanted me,” he explained. “That was a very good sign when I arrived. I was very impressed with the training facilities, the staff, and the manager.”

From Brighton’s perspective, this reflects a familiar recruitment pattern: targeting elite-potential players before they fully explode on the European stage.

Having followed Brighton’s development model closely, Gruda fits the profile almost perfectly — high technical ceiling, international potential, and long-term resale value.

For Liverpool, Gruda’s comments are unlikely to trigger immediate action, but they underline how the club remains a reference point for Europe’s emerging talent.

However, it remains too early to draw firm conclusions. Gruda has yet to fully establish himself as a guaranteed starter, and Brighton are under no pressure to sell.

What is clear is that the midfielder is thinking several steps ahead — and not hiding it.

Gruda’s immediate focus remains on cementing a regular role at Brighton and translating promise into consistency. If that happens, interest from elite clubs is likely to resurface quickly. Brighton, meanwhile, will aim to develop his value further before any serious discussions take place.

Should Liverpool keep a close eye on Brajan Gruda — or does he still have too much to prove at Brighton first?