A former Liverpool target in Teun Koopmeiners has failed to show up to training in a bid to secure a transfer away from Atalanta as confirmed by manager Gian Piero Gasperini.
The Dutch international was a key player for the Bergamo side last season and played a big part in their Europa League success.
One of Koopmeiners’ standout qualities was his versatility.
He seamlessly transitioned between roles as a defensive midfielder, a central midfielder, and occasionally, a more advanced playmaker
This adaptability made him invaluable to Gasperini’s tactical setups, allowing Atalanta to adjust their formation and strategy depending on the opponent.
The 26-year-old ended up notching 15 goals and seven assists across 50 appearances in 2023/24, a very productive return for the midfielder.
Liverpool have consistently been linked to the Dutchman dating back to last season, although news around Teun Koopmeiners and Liverpool has quieted down as the transfer window has gone on.
Cristiano Giuntoli, Juventus technical director, is believed to be a big fan of the Dutch international, with Giuntoli following him while being the sporting director at Napoli.
And it now seems that Koopmeiners is taking matters into his own hands to ensure he gets his transfer to the Turin club.
What did Gian Piero Gasperini say about Teun Koopmeiners?
Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini himself has confirmed that the Dutchman has decided to skip training in order to complete the move to Juventus.
“The situation with him was going very well until last week, then the player decided to go to Juventus,” Gasperini said to local newspaper L’Eco di Bergamo (via the Standard)
“He already has an agreement, he feels stressed and has decided not to play or train with us anymore.”
“With this attitude he cannot be useful to the team, nor to his teammates. The club therefore has taken a very firm line, because we feel blackmailed by this situation.”
“It’s different from the other times in which Atalanta has sold valuable players to bigger teams.”
“I’m already ready [for the new season], on the starting blocks, and I wouldn’t want to have to drag along those who are still celebrating last season.”
“We are now in a much more difficult situation than we could have foreseen.”
Liverpool’s attention to Martin Zubimendi suggests the Tuen Koopmeiners ship has sailed away a long time ago for the Anfield club.
However, it is now looking like a blessing in disguise he easily could have behaved like this on Merseyside too if a club he fancied had come calling.
For now, we wait for to see if the Reds will get their man from Real Sociedad – with Fabrizio Romano providing his latest update today.
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