Matthijs de Ligt offered transfer advice to player who snubbed Man United move

Former Manchester United target Teun Koopmeiners has revealed Matthijs de Ligt offered him transfer advice before joining Juventus in the summer.

The 26-year-old who was heavily linked with a move to the Premier League, opted to remain in Italy and joined Juventus from Atalanta for a reported fee of £50.3million - despite previously admitting he would be keen to experience playing in England. In addition to United, Liverpool and Chelsea - under Mauricio Pochettino - had monitored the Dutch international.

Despite making a slow start for the Old Lady, Koopmeiners is keen to improve and show his potential as the season goes on. In an interview with Italian outlet Tutto Sport, he revealed that prior to completing the move to the Allianz Stadium, he sought advice from De Ligt, who was at the club before moving to Old Trafford.

READ MORE: Manchester United watch on as Jose Mourinho Premier League return club 'set'

READ MORE: Amad, Kobbie Mainoo and Luke Shaw - Manchester United injury news and return dates

"I had never been here but I knew the history of the club and I had played against them," Koopmeiners said. "Let’s say that when I arrived, I saw first-hand that everything I knew and that De Ligt had told me was true: from the services to the facilities, to the kindness of the people.

"Really fantastic. Here at Juve everything is beautiful: on the first day I felt like I was living a dream."

While it's reported that Koopmeiners had options to move to the Premier League, he admitted it 'was a dream' to join Juve. "I repeat, I have worked to be here since I was little: I had told my girlfriend many times in the past that my goal would be to become a Juventus player and I did it," he continued.

"Among other things, living in Italy, my admiration for Juventus has also grown, so now I am very happy here."