Liverpool transfer bid ‘didn’t arrive’ as free run offered 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 front-runners to secure the signing of the Netherlands international this summer.

The 26-year-old midfielder impressed as he fired the Reds out of the Europa League last season, before Gian Piero Gasperini’s side eventually lifted the trophy, defeating Xabi Alonso’s impressive Bayer Leverkusen in the final.

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

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Koopmeiners were widely reported to be a top target for new boss Arne Slot ahead of his first transfer window in charge of the club, although those links are now fading. According to Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport, Juventus’ confidence in a deal for the midfielder is now growing.

It seems that Atalanta were waiting for big offers from the Premier League, but they did not arrive, which therefore opens the door for Koopmeiners to change camp in the Italian football league. The player himself also commented on his future earlier in the year, where he admitted an exit would be preferred, with England an option. “I indicated to Atalanta that I wanted to make a move next summer. But it must be something very nice to change that with Atalanta,” he told De Telegraaf in March.

“My girlfriend and I are having a great time in Italy, but I can take the rain for some clubs in England! Hopefully there will be great options for me to think about. And then I hope Atalanta get a nice sum for me, because I had a great time there.”

The rumored figure is around $43m (£34m/€40m) and The Old Lady now look set to push through the deal, having already secured the signing of former target to Liverpool Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa. Juventus parted with Samuel Iling Junior and Enzo Barranrchea – as well as a hefty transfer fee of around $21m (£16m/€20m).

Liverpool.com says: It now looks like Slot will target other areas of his new side for the remainder of the transfer window – while he can lean on the talents of Stefan Bajcetic next season in a defensive midfielder role. A left-footed centre-back is likely to be a priority for the Liverpool boss in the coming months and can attack reinforcements on the right wing as Mohamed Salah approaches the final year of his contract in red.