Liverpool 'in the clear for midfield transfer as main rival priced out'

Liverpool has received a major boost in the battle to sign Atalanta midfielder Teun Koopmeiners, according to reports. The Reds have regularly been linked with a transfer for the midfielder, after getting knocked out by him and his teammates in the Europa League.

Jürgen Klopp will soon part ways with Anfield following his last game in charge of the club on Sunday against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Current Feyenoord boss Arne Slot is set to take over this summer, as Liverpool prepares for a fresh face in the managerial hot seat for the first time in just under a decade.

The club invested heavily within the midfield last summer, with the arrivals of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endō. However, additional reinforcements will be needed. The excess of games has taken its toll on some players — especially Endō — and Koopmeiners would add crucial depth ahead of next season.

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Spanish veteran Thiago Alcântara will also likely be leaving after his contract expires this summer. That could pave the way for Liverpool to pursue Koopmeiners, with a rival club having apparently dropped out of the race.

According to Italian outlet Tutto Atalanta, Juventus has been priced out of a move for the player due to the asking price of $65m (£51m/€60m). Koopmeiners was reportedly interested in remaining in Italy with the Old Lady, however, the financial constraints within the club would make a deal impossible.

Liverpool has held 'preliminary meetings' with the player and his representatives before the summer window. He is currently contracted at Gewiss Stadium until 2027, with the option to extend to 2028.

Liverpool.com says: While $65m is a substantial figure, it should be feasible for Liverpool to pay this if Slot (or the new-look recruitment structure put together by Michael Edwards) wants to secure the signing. Several players will be leaving the wage bill this summer and potential sales are also looming. The player can play in a defensive, box-to-box or attacking role in the midfield and would offer crucial depth across multiple positions if he did arrive.

Juventus has long been considered the front-runner, so if this latest update is true, it's a major boost to Liverpool's transfer chances. However, it may yet be decided that the greater midfield need is a specialist defensive presence, with a number of the existing options already able to provide cover across multiple different roles in the center of the park.