Liverpool are yet to make their first signing of the summer but have been extensively linked with Martin Zubimendi over the past 24 hours. The Spaniard could turn out to be Arne Slot’s first signing at Anfield since taking over from Jurgen Klopp.
The Reds are never a club to do business that comes out in the media. Liverpool have a reputation for keeping their transfer dealings under wraps and things usually come out in the media only in the final stages. For example, if Zubimendi is being linked with a move to Merseyside, the work for this transfer might likely have started long back.
One player Liverpool were linked with earlier in the transfer window was Atalanta midfielder Teun Koopmeiners. The Dutch midfielder was thought to be a preferred transfer target of Arne Slot but talks have dissipated in recent weeks.
Now, as per Gian Piero Gasperini’s quotes to Eco di Bergamo as quoted by reliable Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, the 26-year-old Dutchman is keen on moving to Juventus this summer and isn’t training with Atalanta. Here is what the Italian manager had to say
“It was all going to plan until last week… then Teun Koopmeiners informed us that he wants to join Juventus. He doesn’t want to train or play with us anymore”
This comes as a blow to Liverpool who have supposedly wanted to sign the midfielder in the past. That said, one has no idea how advanced the Reds’ interest was and whether they made any concrete moves to sign the player.
Koopmeiners is currently valued at around €50m in the transfer market. He has a contract with the Europa League winners until 2027. The Dutch midfielder earns €36,923 per week on his current deal with Atalanta.
At 26, Koopmeiners will feel that he is at the perfect age to take the next step of his career. His next transfer will undoubtedly be his biggest one yet and is also the club that he will be playing for in the prime years of his career.
Arne Slot would have loved to bring his compatriot to Anfield, considering what he brings to the table. However, the player seems set on a move to Juventus and it’s time for Liverpool to move to other transfer targets.
