Liverpool target Teun Koopmeiners admits interest is ‘nice to see’ before playing down talk of move

Atalanta midfielder Teun Koopmeiners insists he is ‘100 per cent focused’ on the Italian club despite being flattered by reports linking him with a move to Liverpool. 

Jurgen Klopp is desperate to strengthen in midfield this month to revive the Reds’ top-four hopes, and Koopmeiners is believed to be one of the names on their shortlist. 

According to the i, Liverpool scouts have been watching the 24-year-old ply his trade for Atalanta in recent months, sparking talk of a potential move in the winter window.

Jurgen Klopp’s side have reportedly been tracking Koopmeiners in recent months

However, their chances of luring Koopmeiners to Anfield appear slim after Atalanta publicly ruled out selling him in January – and now the player himself has played it down by stressing that he is ‘so happy’ in Bergamo.

Prior to their 2-1 win over Bologna on Monday night, he is quoted by Fabrizio Romano as saying: ‘I saw the links and stories about Liverpool – nice to see that but I’m 100 per cent focused on Atalanta, I’m so happy to play here.

Koopmeiners scored his ninth goal for Atalanta when he brought them level in Monday’s win over Bologna, which was his 60th appearance for the club.

The Dutch international moved to the Gewiss Stadium in 2021 from AZ Alkmaar, where he first penned professional terms after emerging from their youth setup.

Atalanta have no intention of letting him go in January, and with two-and-a-half years still to run on his contract they will hold all the aces in negotiations with potential suitors this summer. They also have the option to extend that deal by a further year.

Sporting director Tony D’Amico recently told Sky Sports Italia: ‘There’s nothing concrete with Liverpool: we welcome the interest, but he’s one of our players.’

The Dutch international (centre) has spent the last 18 months in Serie A with Atalanta

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini also rubbished talk of a January exit for his star midfielder by saying: ‘Koopmeiners won’t move in January.’

Liverpool will therefore have to turn their attention elsewhere this month, with Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Jude Bellingham and Brighton star Moises Caicedo being touted as potential options.

Bellingham has emerged as the hottest property in world football after an impressive World Cup campaign with England, meaning Europe’s top clubs are set to battle it out for his signature.

Liverpool are also one of several clubs being linked with England midfielder Jude Bellingham 

Brighton star Moises Caicedo has also been linked with a move to Anfield in recent weeks 

As well as Liverpool, the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester City and Chelsea are keen to win the race for the Dortmund midfielder, although any potential move is unlikely to take place before the summer.

Caicedo, who also performed well in Qatar for Ecuador, would represent a significantly cheaper option despite being under contract with Brighton until 2025.

Nevertheless, Seagulls chief Paul Barber recently joked that a bid of £42million – which was previously suggested as a valuation by ex-boss Graham Potter – wouldn’t be enough for the player’s boots.