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‘It’s good to see that, but I’m 100% focused on Atalanta’: Liverpool target Teun Koopmeiners admits he’s flattered by interest from Jurgen Klopp and co but downplays a potential move as he’s ‘very happy’ at Bergamo.
- Liverpool have been linked with a move to Atalanta’s Teun Koopmeiners of late
- But Koopmeiners has downplayed talk of a possible January move to Anfield.
- The Dutch midfielder admits it’s “nice to see” the rumored interest from them.
- However, Koopmeiners insists that he remains “100% focused on Atalanta”
Atalanta midfielder Teun Koopmeiners insists he is “100% focused” on the Italian club, despite being flattered by reports linking him with a move to Liverpool.
Jurgen Klopp is desperate to get stronger in midfield this month to revive the Reds’ top-four hopes, and Koopmeiners is believed to be one of the names on his short list.
According to YoLiverpool scouts have been eyeing the 24-year-old in recent months, sparking rumors of a potential move in the winter window.
Liverpool target Teun Koopmeiners insists he remains “100% focused” on Atalanta
Jurgen Klopp’s side have reportedly been tracking Koopmeiners in recent months.
However, his chances of luring the Koopmeiners to Anfield look slim after Atalanta publicly ruled out selling him in January, and now the player himself has played it down by emphasizing that he is “very happy” in Bergamo.
Before their 2-1 win over Bologna on Monday night, he is quoted as saying Fabrizio Romano: ‘I saw the links and the stories about Liverpool, it’s good to see that, but I’m 100 per cent focused on Atalanta, I’m very happy to play here.
Koopmeiners scored his ninth goal for Atalanta when he equalized them in Monday’s win over Bologna, his 60th appearance for the club.
The Dutch international moved to Gewiss Stadium in 2021 from AZ Alkmaar, where he first signed professional terms after emerging from his youth setup.
Atalanta have no intention of letting him go in January, and with two and a half years to go on his contract, he will have all the aces in negotiations with possible suitors this summer. They also have the option to extend that agreement for another year.
Sports director Tony D’Amico recently said Sky Sports Italy: “There is nothing concrete with Liverpool: we appreciate the interest, but he is one of our players.”
The Dutch international (centre) has spent the last 18 months with Atalanta
Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini also ruled out talk of a January departure for his star midfielder, saying: “The Koopmeiners will not move in January.”
Therefore, Liverpool will have to turn their attention elsewhere this month, with Borussia Dortmund wunderkind Jude Bellingham and Brighton star Moisés Caicedo as possible options.
Bellingham has become the most popular property in world football after an impressive World Cup campaign with England, meaning Europe’s top clubs are ready to fight for his signature.
Liverpool is also one of several clubs linked to English midfielder Jude Bellingham.
Brighton star Moises Caicedo has also been linked with a move to Anfield in recent weeks.
In addition to Liverpool, the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester City and Chelsea are keen to win the race for the Dortmund midfielder, although a potential move is unlikely before the summer.
Caicedo, who also performed well in Qatar for Ecuador, would represent a significantly cheaper option despite having a contract with Brighton until 2025.
However, Seagulls boss Paul Barber recently joked that a £42m offer, previously suggested as a valuation by former boss Graham Potter, would not be enough for the player’s boots.