Liverpool may have been handed an advantage in the developing race for Atalanta’s Teun Koopmeiners, thanks to Arne Slot.
That’s according to De Telegraaf, who say the midfielder’s dream has long been to play in the Premier League and his association with Slot could aid that.
Koopmeiners is being increasingly linked with a big money move from Atalanta this summer after establishing himself as one of the stars for the Italian side under Gian Piero Gasperini.
That was recently the case in their win over Liverpool in the Europa League, a performance that put him on the Reds’ radar for the summer according to several reports.
They would face competition from Italy for the midfielder, though, with Juventus also known to be big fans and eyeing a move as they need to completely rebuild their midfield this summer.
Liverpool could certainly compete with them financially; indeed they would be able to outbid them considerably, and they may have other advantages in a potential battle.
That’s at least according to De Telegraaf, who say the midfielder’s childhood desire to play in the Premier League and his previous relationship with Slot could work in the Reds’ favour.
‘It is an open secret that Thiago Motta, the extremely popular coach of the surprising Bologna, has given his word to Juventus.
‘That would increase Koopmeiners’ chances for a transfer to Turin, but there are several captors on the coast, including Liverpool. Koopmeiners recently made a very good impression in the Europa League diptych between Atalanta and Liverpool, especially at Anfield. In addition to the play of Koopmeiners, who dreamed as a child to shine in the Premier League, there is of course also the link with his ex-coach.
‘It was Slot who made Koopmeiners captain in Alkmaar. Moreover, Liverpool has more power in the transfer market than Juve.
‘There are not many clubs that can simply pay the estimated €50-60m for Koopmeiners. Liverpool does, even though there seems to be a rush to introduce a spending ceiling in the Premier League.’
