How Hojlund can help Man Utd beat Liverpool to €60m midfielder

Imre Himmelbauer

• Updated: 26 Mar 2024 16:14 GMT
• 4 min read

Manchester United hope to strengthen themselves with Teun Koopmeiners in the summer, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The midfielder has been in excellent form for Atalanta this season and is also attracting interest from Liverpool and Juventus. However, Erik ten Hag's club believe they have an edge over the other candidates.

According to the Italian sports newspaper, Man Utd hope for 'preferential treatment' from the club from Bergamo. Atalanta and the Red Devils have done business satisfactorily several times in recent years. United acquired Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta for around €74 million last summer, while Amad Diallo came from La Dea for €21.3m in January 2021.

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The Red Devils are aware, however, that competition for Koopmeiners will be very stiff. Juventus have been working on the arrival of Koopmeiners for some time, as the club from Turin know that they cannot compete financially once clubs from the Premier League come calling. Liverpool, meanwhile, have been eyeing the midfielder for three years.

Koopmeiners wants out

Atalanta have reportedly put a price tag of €60m-€70m around Koopmeiners' neck. The Dutchman has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €37m and is still under contract until 2027. Koopmeiners exchanged AZ for Atalanta in the summer of 2021, with the latter paying €14m for the 26-year-old.

The 21-time international has now become one of the pillars of Gian Piero Gasperini's team. This season, Koopmeiners has recorded 12 goals and 4 assists in 34 matches. Atalanta are in a respectable sixth place, partly due to the midfielder's contribution.

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His time in Bergamo is coming to an end, however. “I have indicated to Atalanta that I want to make a move next summer," Koopmeiners recently said. "But there must be something very nice to exchange for that for Atalanta."

"My girlfriend and I are having a great time in Italy but I can endure the rain for some clubs in England. I hope there will be great options that I can think about. And then I hope that Atalanta receives a nice amount for me, because I had a wonderful time there.

“I would be lying if I said that I did not hear the alleged interest from Juventus and Premier League clubs. Of course, I read that too or get it forwarded to me.”