Liverpool get Koopmeiners HOPE as opening Juventus bid falls short

Liverpool face significant competition in the race to sign Atalanta midfielder Teun Koopmeiners, with Italian giants Juventus making a move to get ahead in the battle to sign him. 

The Reds have long been linked with the 26-year-old Dutch playmaker, who was instrumental in helping the Bergamo outfit claim Europa League glory this season. 

That run to the final of course included a quarter-final success over Jurgen Klopp's men. Juventus though are big admirers of Koopmeiners, and according to Gazzetta dello Sport they have already formulated their opening offer to Atalanta. 

Per the respected Italian daily, it may not be successful though as the €40 million plus €5m in add-ons will fall well short of the €60m valuation Atalanta have for their talented star man. 

Gazzetta reports that Juventus have a contingency plan though, which could be to insert their Dutch-born defender Dean Huijsen into the deal as a makeweight. 

Huijsen has just returned to Turin after a loan spell with Roma, and is also interesting Borussia Dortmund.

Liverpool's Koopmeiners 'Plan B'

Liverpool too are reported to have a Plan B and it involves another Atalanta player. 

As Liverpool scouts have taken note of Koopmeiners throughout this season, it’s been reported that his midfield partner Ederson has also emerged as a player of interest.  

The 24-year-old was a star of Atalanta’s Europa League campaign, excelling in the final against Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen last week. 

His all-action display won him the plaudits of observers all around the world and his consistency across the season has earned him a place in the Brazil squad for the upcoming Copa America. 

More Liverpool midfield changes?

Liverpool underwent significant upheaval in the midfield department last year with Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, James Milner, Naby Keita and Arthur Melo all leaving. 

In their place came Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch, but there could be even more additions this summer. 

No doubt, Slot would love to link up with compatriot Koopmeiners, who excelled under the coach at AZ before moving to Atalanta, but it remains to be seen whether or not Juve can convince their Serie A rivals to sell.