Liverpool are in front of the queue for the signing of Atalanta star Teun Koopmeiners
According to Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport (Sport Witness), Liverpool are leading the race for the signing of Atalanta midfielder Teun Koopmeiners.
For the last couple of seasons at Atalanta, the Netherlands international’s stocks have been growing. He has been heavily linked with a move to Juventus for some time now. The Turin giants are working hard to find an agreement with Atalanta over the transfer of the highly-rated midfielder, who has given the green signal to join Thiago Motta’s troops this summer.
However, the aforementioned report (Sport Witness) claims that Atalanta are ready to sell Teun Koopmeiners to a club outside of Italy as they wish not to strengthen a direct rival in their bid to revive under newly-appointed Thiago Motta. La Dea are asking for €60 million for the 26-year-old in direct fees, which is deemed as too high by Juventus as they prefer to settle a deal at around €40m.
The box-to-box midfielder’s displays in Italy have caught the attention of many clubs in England, where Liverpool are understood to be in a ‘pole position’. Given Juventus and Atalanta are almost €20million apart in valuation, the Reds boss Arne Slot has time to make an effort to persuade Koopmeiners to join them over the Turin-based club. In fact, the Dutchman was a favourite of Jurgen Klopp as the German wanted to bring him to Anfield.
Despite revamping the midfield unit last summer with the additions of four fresh faces, Liverpool are supposedly looking to improve that area of the field further in this transfer window. The release of Thiago Alcantara after his contract expired in June has affected the club’s depth in the engine room, while Stefan Bajcetic cannot be burdened with regular game time after spending almost the entire last season on the sidelines.
Perhaps, that is why Arne Slot wants to sign a central midfielder and his interest in Koopmeiners makes sense. Slot managed Koopmeiners during their time together at AZ Alkmaar, and knowing what he will get from the player on and off the ball, the Liverpool boss probably wants to make the Atalanta star one of his first signings ahead of his debut campaign in England.
Koopmeiners was excellent for Atalanta last season, scoring 15 goals and registering seven assists in 51 games across all competitions as Gian Piero Gasperini’s side became the Europa League champions. He was selected in the Netherlands squad for the 2024 Euro but had to pull out due to an adductor issue.
More Liverpool News!
- Liverpool cult-hero namedrops ‘Clever’ Serie A star who can make a difference at Anfield
- Liverpool star puts in sensational shift as continental glory draws closer
- Marc Guehi’s suspension could give Liverpool star a way back into Southgate’s Xi albeit in a different role
A player of his quality, experience and work ethic would boost the Reds’ squad and help them challenge for major honours next term. That said, Slot and Liverpool must try taking advantage of Juventus’ situation and agree a fee with Atalanta for Koopmeiners.
