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Teun Koopmeiners price tag emerges as Liverpool has 'advantage' transfer race
Arne Slot has been linked with a reunion with Teun Koopmeiners ahead of his confirmation as the new Liverpool boss this summer.
The current Feyenoord boss is expected to succeed Jürgen Klopp at Anfield, with a deal set to be finalized soon. He will immediately get the chance to add to his squad when the transfer window opens, with Koopmeiners among those already being linked with a move.
The Atalanta midfielder played under Slot at AZ Alkmaar, and looks to be on his way out of the Serie A side this summer. Koopmeiners made his intentions to leave Atalanta clear last month, and has talked up a move to the Premier League.
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According to Italian outlet TuttoMercatoWeb, Liverpool is looking to beat Juventus to his signature this summer. Further reports have suggested what the Reds will have to pay to secure his services.
Quotidiano Sportivo claims Koopmeiners will cost $64m (£51m/€60m), with Juventus earmarking him as a priority. They could find it difficult to sign the 26-year-old, with Liverpool also said to be ‘strong on him’.
The Reds are said to hold an advantage in the race for Koopmeiner’s signature, being in a better position to pay the fee asked by Atalanta and offer a better deal to the player. Liverpool has already been given a first-hand view of what the midfielder could offer, having been knocked out of the Europa League by Atalanta last month.
Speaking to De Telegraaf in March, Koopmeiners acknowledged the interest from Juventus, but admitted he is also eyeing up a move to the Premier League. “I have indicated to Atalanta that I want to make a move next summer,” he said.
“But there must be something very nice to exchange that for Atalanta. 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.”
He added: “I would be lying if I said that I did not hear the rumored interest from Juventus and Premier League clubs. Of course I read that too or get it forwarded to me.”
Liverpool.com says: There should be plenty of potential suitors for Koopmeiners, and it wouldn’t be a great surprise if Liverpool is among them. The Reds have been linked on plenty of occasions over the years.
How big a priority the midfield will be this summer remains to be seen though. Defense will surely be Slot’s first port of call, and a new forward might also be required. If a new midfielder is sought, then you’d imagine it would be a number six. Koopmeiners can fill that role, although you wonder if Liverpool would want a more specialist option.
