Teun Koopmeiners: Atalanta respond to Liverpool transfer rumours

Updated: 12 Jan 2023 07:04 GMT
4 min read

Atalanta will refuse to sell Liverpool target Teun Koopmeiners this window, FootballTransfers can reveal.

Sources in Italy have responded to the claims that the Reds are in the hunt for the midfielder for the January transfer window - resolutely telling us that he will not be sold.

The Serie A club are looking to reach a Europa League spot this season while their recent sale of Ruslan Malinovskyi to Marseille for €12m plus add-ons means that they are unwilling to let another important name go.

Other reports have suggested that La Dea would allow the Dutchman to move on for around the €40m mark - but our understanding from those close to the club is that they are not willing to him go at any price.

Koopmeiners joined Atalanta from AZ Alkmaar in 2021 for €14m plus €10m add-ons and has so far scored eight goals in 58 appearances.

The Atalanta star was also in the Netherlands’ squad for the World Cup in Qatar.

Liverpool’s hunt goes on

The Reds are looking for a central midfielder to come into the fold and kickstart their season. Of course, there is still interest in Jude Bellingham who, despite reports to the contrary, has not chosen Real Madrid as his next club - a decision has yet to be made by the England international.

Elsewhere there have been links to Matheus Nunes, of struggling Wolves, and Enzo Fernandez - a player FootballTransfers was informed would be likely heading to Real Madrid.

We are told there have been conversations between Liverpool and Khephren Thuram of Nice - as well as Kouadio Kone of Borussia Monchengladbach.

Moises Caicedo is another option for the club, but nothing is close. In fact, Brighton & Hove Albion CEO Paul Barber has told CBS Sports, responding to Graham Potter's words at the start of the season that a big-money bid from Anfield would only land the player’s footwear: “I am not sure £42m will even include the boots now, maybe just the laces. But joking aside, every player’s value is ultimately determined by the market.”

Liverpool’s plight and well-publicised need for a player to fill the role in the middle of the pitch undoubtedly means that rival clubs are happily running up the prices of the talent they are keen in.