Atalanta are open to SELLING £51m player and Liverpool are first in line

Atalanta are open to selling one of the key stars of their UEFA Europa League triumph and Liverpool are at the front of the queue.

Atalanta president Antonio Percassi has confirmed that his club could sell Teun Koopmeiners this summer. There are a couple of things that need to happen first, but this is a sale that's very much on the table.

"[We would sell Koopmeiners] only if it was consistent with the strategy required for a provincial club which must always have its accounts in order," said Percassi, per Gazzetta dello Sport.

“If you make a deal, it is because you have an equivalent replacement. We are prepared to sell key players for Atalanta - if there is a parachute.”

This comes after Koopmeiners himself commented on his future after Atalanta's UEFA Europa League win on Wednesday.

“I’m only happy to enjoy this title with the fans, I’m focused on celebrating," he told Sky Italia, as relayed by Fabrizio Romano. “Next season? I don’t know. We will see."

And to go even further than that, the Dutchman openly admitted earlier this season that he intended to leave Atalanta and had voiced this to the club.

“I told Atalanta I want to leave in the summer,” Koopmeiners told De Telegraaf in March.

“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!"

Liverpool want Koopmeiners

Liverpool have been strongly linked with Koopmeiners this summer - but exclusively out of Italy. They're named just about everywhere as the true challengers to Juventus for the midfielder.

But some outlets have gone further than that. There are now suggestions that Juventus simply don't have the cash to meet Atalanta's asking price, preventing them from leading any race.

Liverpool, however, can pay the £51m that the Bergamo club would want. It places them squarely in the driving seat here.

And, of course, there are the links between Koopmeiners and Arne Slot. They worked together at AZ Alkmaar before the player moved to Italy - and it's very possible they'd like to work together again.