Liverpool transfer news: Teun Koopmeiners' comments on Reds interest as new price tag named

Liverpool have been told what it will take to sign Atalanta midfielder Teun Koopmeiners this summer, with the Netherlands international reportedly on the Reds' radar.

Despite undergoing a midfield overhaul last summer that saw the arrivals of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch for a combined £145m, there has been continued speculation that Liverpool could re-enter the market for another 'number six' signing this year.

Fluminense's Andre Trindade was frequently touted as a potential target prior to January, though that story has since gone cold, while Alan Varela (Porto) and Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich) are just two of the most recent names linked.

Atalanta's Koopmeiners is another player who the Reds are supposedly looking at, with one report even claiming the Premier League leaders were ready to submit a £4om offer for the 25-year-old.

The 20-cap Netherlands international is a versatile midfielder, capable if playing in either a holding midfield role or as a box-to-box player and has 11 goal contributions from midfield this season.

Koopmeiners is also a player that Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk will know well from national team duties, as will fellow Reds Cody Gakpo and Gravenberch.

However, according to Tutto Atalanta, his employers will only entertain offers of €60-65m (£51.5-55m), while the midfielder remains 'non-transferable' in January as La Dea chase European qualification in the second half of the season.

In addition to Liverpool, Juventus and Napoli are said to be tracking Koopmeiners, while previous reports have name-checked Newcastle too.

'I saw the links'

Speaking earlier this month, Koopmeiners – who is under contract in Bergamo until 2027 – commented on the speculation regarding a switch to Anfield, saying: “I saw the links and stories about Liverpool — nice to see that but I’m 100 per cent focused on Atalanta, I’m so happy to play here.”

Meanwhile, sporting director Tony D’Amico told Sky Sport Italia: “There’s nothing concrete with Liverpool: we welcome the interest, but he’s one of our players.” Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has previously said: “Koopmeiners won't move in January.”

Elsewhere, Anfield Watch was the first to report that Liverpool have been monitoring Genoa's Denmark international midfielder Morten Frendrup as they assess defensive midfield options ahead of the summer.