Liverpool transfer offer 'hasn't arrived' as free run given at $44M target

A transfer offer for Atalanta midfielder Teun Koopmeiners is yet to arrive from Liverpool, according to reports. Serie A giants Juventus are now frontrunners to secure the signing of the Netherlands international this summer.

The 26-year-old midfielder impressed while knocking the Reds out of the Europa League last season before Gian Piero Gasperini's side eventually went on to lift the trophy, beating Xabi Alonso's impressive Bayer Leverkusen team in the final.

Liverpool invested heavily in the midfield last summer, with the likes of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo all arriving through the door at the AXA Training Centre. However, with Endo being the only defensive midfielder in the squad, further recruits are needed in this area.

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It was widely reported that Koopmeiners was a top target for new boss Arne Slot ahead of his first transfer window in charge of the club, although these links are now fading. According to Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport, confidence at Juventus regarding a deal for the midfielder is now growing.

Atalanta were reportedly waiting for big offers from the Premier League but they have not arrived, which therefore opens the door for Koopmeiners to switch sides in the top flight of Italian football. The player himself has also commented on his future earlier in the year, where he admitted an exit would be preferred and England was an option. “I have indicated to Atalanta that I want to make a move next summer. But there must be something very nice to exchange that for Atalanta,” he told De Telegraaf in March.

“My girlfriend and I are having a great time in Italy, but I can put up with the rain for some clubs in England!I hope there will be great options that I can think about. And then I hope that Atalanta receives a nice amount for me, because I had a wonderful time there.”

The rumoured figure is around $43million (£34m/€40m) and The Old Lady now looks set to push ahead with the deal, after already securing the signing of former Liverpool target Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa. Juventus parted ways with Samuel Iling Junior and Enzo Barranrchea - as well as a sizeable transfer fee in the region of $21m (£16m/€20m).

Liverpool.com says: It now looks as if Slot will target other areas of his new squad for the remainder of the transfer window - while possibly leaning on the talents of Stefan Bajcetic next season in the defensive midfielder role. A left-footed centre-back will likely be a priority for the Liverpool boss in the coming months and possibly attacking reinforcements on the right wing, as Mohamed Salah approaches the final year of his contract in red.