Liverpool on red alert as Juventus risk Calafiori repeat

Tom Weber

Updated: 6 Jul 2024 15:37 BST
4 min read

After missing out on Riccardo Calafiori, Juventus are now also facing complications in their bid to sign Teun Koopmeiners, according to Italian media.

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The Dutch midfielder has established himself as one of the best in Serie A since joining Atalanta. Koopmeiners is coming off a stunning season with La Dea, notching 15 goals and seven assists and winning the Europa League.

His performances last term firmly put him on the map, though he has been highly rated for a few years. Three years ago, Liverpool were already linked with the then-AZ star, who played for some time under new Reds boss Arne Slot.

That interest has never subsided, but Liverpool have had to contend with the fact that there is another club even crazier about the 26-year-old. Juventus have been courting Koopmeiners for months and a deal appeared to only be a matter of time, with the Dutchman said to be keen on remaining in Italy.

However, there are some complications now.

Advantage Liverpool?

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Atalanta are reluctant to sell one of their star players to a direct domestic competitor and would prefer a move abroad for Koopmeiners.

This spells bad news for Juventus, though luckily for them no club has thus far shown any inclination to match the Bergamo outfit's €60 million valuation. Indeed, the expectation is that a deal will eventually be struck for something closer to €40m.

But Atlanta's unwillingness to do business with the Old Lady could either completely rule out a deal or cost the Bianconeri a premium - a premium they may not be capable of paying.

Juventus have already been very ambitious in the market under new coach Thiago Motta, signing Douglas Luiz and closing in on the arrival of Khephren Thuram for the midfield. Koopmeiners was supposed to complete the Bianconeri's new-look engine room, but he will be incredibly pricey.

The above-mentioned outlet states that Liverpool are in 'pole position' for the Dutchman when it comes to Premier League suitors, but it seems that little concrete has thus far materialised. They will be heartened by the news that yet another club is not willing to do business with Juventus, though.

After missing out on Riccardo Calafiori to Arsenal due to ruining their relationship with Bologna, Juve could now face a repeat with Teun Koopmeiners and Atalanta.