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‘Watch out for Liverpool’ after ‘first steps’ taken to sign €40m Jurgen Klopp favourite
Juventus have been told to ‘watch out for Liverpool’ as they put Teun Koopmeiners at the top of their summer wishlist, with the Reds said to have taken the ‘first steps’ to sign the Jurgen Klopp favourite.
The 25-year-old moved to Atalanta from AZ Alkmaar in the summer of 2021 for around €12m and has since made 75 appearances for the Serie A side, contributing 11 goals and seven assists from a deep midfield role.
Klopp’s interest in Koopmeiners dates back to last summer, and a report in January claimed the German boss pushed for the Dutch international’s transfer, asking the Liverpool recruiters to make contact with his representatives.
Upgrading an ageing midfield is Liverpool’s priority this summer, despite the “exceptional” form of Curtis Jones, with Mason Mount and Alexis Mac Allister thought to be among Liverpool’s top targets.
But as a report last week revealed, Liverpool have also ‘taken the first steps’ to sign Koopmeiners, who is also on Juventus’ radar.
The Old Lady look set to lose both Adrien Rabiot – who’s heavily linked with a move to Manchester United – and Leandro Paredes in the summer, which would leave them short in midfield, particularly on the back of yet another injury for Paul Pogba.
Caliciomercato claim Koopmeiners – who is under contract with Atalanta until 2025, with the option of a further year – is at the top of Juventus’ shortlist, but they must ‘watch out for Liverpool’.
But that ‘competition from the Premier League’ isn’t putting Juventus off and they will ‘try seriously’ to sign the midfielder, who would be available for around €40m.
As Jamie Carragher said on Monday Night Football, it will be “interesting” to see the profile of midfielder Liverpool will target this summer after the tactical “twist” Klopp has ushered in this season.
He said: “Liverpool are looking to play with two No 10s right now and we see it with [Curtis] Jones’ second goal. I think it’s really interesting in terms of the profile of player Liverpool bring in during the summer. We know they’re going to bring in two or three midfielders.
“When we talk about when Liverpool won the title – Jordan Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum and Fabinho… some of those players are still there, but it was about running and power. What we’re seeing now is the twist and the change that Klopp has mentioned. Jones is a player with confidence. Right now, we’re seeing his breakthrough moment.
“A couple of seasons ago, we saw him being picked in front of more established players and then last season didn’t happen for him due to several reasons including injuries. We’ve had the same for much of this season, but in the last six or seven games, we’ve seen that he can be more than a squad player who can push for the first XI.
“He has a pivotal role to play going forward but he has to be more consistent. He sometimes is over-confident and holds onto the ball too much. He’s a player Liverpool have who suits playing in between the lines which I don’t think a Thiago does if he came back into the team.”
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