Newcastle, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Chelsea all had scouts at Anfield during Liverpool’s stunning 3-0 defeat to Atalanta in the Europa League quarter-finals with Ederson and Teun Koopmeiners shining.
EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
While two former Premier League men did the damage on Merseyside – former West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca scoring twice before ex-Chelsea youngster Mario Pasalic put the icing on the cake – some of Atalanta’s other stars may have a future in English football.
HITC understands that Chelsea had representatives at Anfield on Thursday night. The London giants were there to watch Teun Koopmeiners in the flesh. Atalanta’s £60 million-rated Dutch international is Europe’s top scoring midfielder after Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham, and produced a typically all-action performance as Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side lost at home for the first time in 34 matches.
Koopmeiners recently admitted that he wants to leave La Dea this summer too, comments which may give Chelsea and co confidence that there is a deal there to be done.
Chelsea target Teun Koopmeiners wants a move
“I told Atalanta I want to leave in the summer,” the former AZ Alkmaar captain said.
“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).”
We have been informed that Koopmeiners’ midfield partner also has admirers on UK soil.
Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United watch Ederson
Manchester United, Tottenham and Newcastle were all present to run the rule on Ederson. The 24-year-old Brazilian – a more defensively-minded player than Koopmeiners even if he has six goals himself this season – helped Atalanta strangle Liverpool’s midfield during a display which proved why the veteran coach Gian Piero Gasperini is seen, in some quarters, as one of the finest tactical minds of the era.
Tottenham, HITC understands, are prioritising an athletic, energetic central midfield player this summer. Ange Postecoglou’s side are also keen on Fenerbahce’s Ismail Yuksek, Feyenoord’s Quinten Timber and also Joao Gomes, the ever-improving Wolves ace who scored a brace in North London in February.
Ederson, however, looks well-suited to Postecoglou’s aggressive yet possession-focused approach. The Aussie’s tactics, after all, are not too dissimilar to Gasperini’s own.
The Tottenham boss has indicated, meanwhile, that Gio Lo Celso may be allowed to leave this summer. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg could also depart, having admitted that he is unhappy with his lack of game time under Postecoglou.
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