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Arne Slot can get one over Man Utd early on as Liverpool hold 'advantage' in reunion bid
Arne Slot may get an advantage over Man Utd in his first Liverpool transfer window.
Liverpool have an advantage in their pursuit of Teun Koopmeiners with Atalanta reportedly holding out for a bid from a Premier League club. Koopmeiners, who played under incoming Reds boss Arne Slot at AZ Alkmaar, has plenty of interest in a summer transfer.
The Netherlands international is wanted by Liverpool, Juventus and a host of Europe’s other top clubs. Having already declared his interest in a departure, Koopmeiners is likely to head for the Atalanta exit.
According to Cronache di Spogliatoio, Juve are keen to do a deal with their Serie A rivals for Koopmeiners. However, Atalanta are prepared to wait in the hope that a Premier League club makes an offer.
English clubs are backed with stronger resources than their Italian counterparts, and Atalanta pulled off a similar tactic last summer when they sold Rasmus Hojlund. Juve were also interested in the Dane, but Atalanta held off entering negotiations with the Turin outfit and reaped the benefits when Manchester United made a £72million offer.
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The report adds that Atalanta are particularly intrigued by a potential offer from Liverpool for Koopmeiners. That could hand the Anfield side an advantage in their hunt for the versatile midfielder, especially with United also linked with the star.
New boss Slot, who will replace Jurgen Klopp this summer, is likely to oversee a busy summer transfer window. The Dutchman is not the only important pending off-field arrival, with new sporting director Richard Hughes set to take up his position after leaving Bournemouth.
Michael Edwards has also returned to Liverpool as CEO of football within the structure of owners Fenway Sports Group. Julian Ward, who replaced Edwards as sporting director in 2022 but left a year later, will also take up a role at FSG.
Liverpool’s owners have overseen a restructure of their hierarchy in the wake of the departure of Klopp, who oversaw increasing power later in his nine-year tenure. The first job of the new structure could be to sign Koopmeiners from Atalanta.
The 26-year-old has scored 15 goals and provided seven assists across all competitions this season. A 21-time Dutch international, he can play anywhere in central midfield but is at his best in a No 10 position.
Koopmeiners made 58 appearances under Slot at former club AZ, scoring 21 goals. He moved to Atalanta in 2021 and is now being linked with a big-money exit.