Liverpool look set to miss out on Teun Koopmeiners with Atalanta on the verge of an £18 million deal for the AZ Alkmaar captain, as reported by Tuttomercatoweb.
While Gini Wijnaldum appears to have brought an end to the speculation surrounding his future – the 2019 Champions League winner is heading to Paris Saint-Germain rather than Barcelona – the identity of who will replace him in Jurgen Klopp’s engine room remains a mystery.
For a while at least, Koopmeiners looked like the obvious successor to his fellow Netherlands international.
AS reported in May that Klopp is a big fan of the £17 million-rated skipper with Koopmeiners’ leadership skills, tactical flexibility and underrated passing range – not to mention his set-piece mastery – making him arguably the most influential midfielder in the Eredivisie.
Liverpool miss out on Koopmeiners as Atalanta swoop
The 23-year-old has been open about his desire to leave the relatively small pond that is Dutch domestic football too as he seeks a new challenge in a higher-profile league.
Koopmeiners had been holding talks over a move to Roma, with Jose Mourinho’s side appearing to be Liverpool’s biggest challengers.
But, out of nowhere, another Serie A club has leapt to the front of the queue, foot slammed down on the accelerator with the chequered flag in sight.
Tuttomercatoweb reports Koopmeiners will touch down in Bergamo in the next few days to put the finishing touches on his £18 million transfer.
The versatile ball-player, who is also capable of filling in at centre-half, is expected to sign a five-year deal with Atalanta worth £25,000 a week.
Liverpool always knew replacing Wijnaldum would be no easy task. And it appears the challenge for the Premier League giants has become even more difficult.
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