It was no secret that one of the finest young midfielders in Europe was keen to move on this summer.
Shortly before both Chelsea and Liverpool sent scouts to watch him in action in May’s Coppa Italia final, as HITC reported at the time, the much-coveted, £50 million-rated ace opened the door to an off-season departure and a fresh start.
“I told Atalanta I want to leave in the summer,” the wantaway Teun Koopmeiners told De Telegraaf.
“Last season, there was concrete interest from Napoli, but the two clubs didn’t reach an agreement. I hope there will be options to consider this year. My girlfriend and I are enjoying Italy, but I would endure rain for some clubs in England.
“I’d lie if I said I have no news of interest from Juventus and Premier League clubs. I read the news, too. I’ve had an amazing time at Atalanta, and I hope they will get a big sum (while selling me).”
Now, Atalanta certainly will get a ‘big sum’. Whether it reaches the £50 million fee they are holding out for, however, remains to be seen.
But as Liverpool turn their focus to Martin Zubimendi – HITC understands that talks are continuing with the Real Sociedad playmaker – it is unlikely that any offers will be forthcoming for Koopmeiners unless something pretty dramatic happens.
Liverpool and Chelsea are fans of Teun Koopmeiners
HITC understands that Koopmeiners was a player Liverpool liked even before hiring Arne Slot – who came up against the former AZ Alkmaar captain in the Eredivise – as Jurgen Klopp’s replacement.
Chelsea also watched the towering Dutchman as Atalanta ran riot at Anfield in the Europa League semi-finals. Koopmeiners’ dynamic performance in that remarkable 3-0 win did his burgeoning reputation no harm, that’s for sure.
But amid interest from England’s giants – and Koopmeiners’ admission that he would be willing to invest in an umbrella and a raincoat consider a move to the UK – all the signs now are pointing towards Juventus.
In a very honest interview with L’Eco di Bergamo on Wednesday, Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini admitted that Koopmeiners had made his choice.
“The situation with him was going very well until last week. Then, the player decided to go to Juventus,” sighs Gasperini, who led that Ademola Lookman-inspired Atalanta side to Europa League glory last term.
“He already has an agreement (with Juve). He feels stressed and has decided not to play or train with us anymore. With this attitude, he cannot be useful to the team or his teammates.
“The club in turn has taken a very firm stance, because it feels blackmailed by this situation. Different from other times in which Atalanta has sold some prized pieces to the big teams.”
Juventus are reportedly preparing an opening bid of £43 million plus bonuses, per TMW.
Dutchman wants to seal Juventus move
Atalanta have lost the likes of Cristian Romero, Amad Diallo and Dejan Kulusevski in the recent past. But the nature of Koopmeiners’ seemingly inevitable departure leaves a sour taste.
“I understand the player’s will. I understand Atalanta’s attitude of not being blackmailed,” adds former Inter Milan boss Gasperini, the Koopmeiners saga a very unwelcome development following the long-term injuries suffered by Giorgio Scalvini and Gianluca Scamacca.
“The fact is that Atalanta was unlucky in losing three such important players who take away a lot from the team from a technical point of view, even if Scamacca and Scalvini’s situations are very different from that of Koopmeiners.”
HITC understands that, as a result, Atalanta have strengthened their resolve regarding their ball-winning Brazilian enforcer Ederson. He had caught the eye of Newcastle and Manchester United.
Relations between La Dea and Juventus are being further strained by the pursuit of Nicolas Gonzalez of Fiorentina. Atalanta have been left unhappy, too, by Juventus’ sudden entrance into the race for the Argentine winger.
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