Premier League giants Liverpool aren’t out of the race for Teun Koopmeiners yet with Atalanta and AZ Alkmaar yet to conclude a deal for the Netherlands international, according to Calciomercato.
When reports emerged earlier this week that the AZ captain was in advanced talks over a move to Serie A, it seemed Liverpool’s transfer plans had just become a little bit more complicated.
Manager Jurgen Klopp apparently sees Koopmeiners – versatile, influential and a natural-born leader at the age of just 23 – as the ideal successor to fellow Dutchman Gini Wijnaldum in his midfield (AS).
And, while Atalanta are still in pole position as it stands, the I’s remain undotted and the T’s uncrossed.
According to Calciomercato, nothing has been agreed just yet.
Can Liverpool still sign Koopmeiners?
Atalanta are offering about £5 million less than the £18 million AZ want for perhaps the most commanding central midfielder in the whole of the Eredivisie.
What’s more, the Bergamo-based outfit are unwilling to match Koopmeiners’ £33,000-a-week wage demands, offering closer to £15,000.
Given even reserve full-back Neco Williams earns more than that at Anfield (Spotrac) and you’d think Liverpool would have no problem paying Koopmeiners want he wants.
Then again, such a mature and intelligent footballer is likely to value sporting prospects above cold, hard cash.
Wijnaldum may be gone but would Koopmeiners really command an immediate starting berth alongside the likes of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson on the red half of Merseyside?
As Donny van de Beek will tell you, adapting to life in England after honing your talents in a league where space and time on the ball is far easier to come by, is difficult to say the least.
Liverpool have also been linked with Borussia Monchengladbach contract-rebel Denis Zakaria, while Argentina international Rodrigo De Paul is finally ready to fly the nest after five years at Udinese.
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