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Topics: Liverpool, Transfer News, Jurgen Klopp, Premier League, Atalanta, Michael Edwards
Rory O'Callaghan
Topics: Liverpool, Transfer News, Jurgen Klopp, Premier League, Atalanta, Michael Edwards
While the Premier League season is not yet over, Liverpool will already have one eye on the summer transfer window and life after Jurgen Klopp.
Klopp will step down as manager at the end of the campaign, with Feyenoord boss Arne Slot widely expected to replace him as head coach in a new set-up at Anfield.
A £9m compensation package has been reportedly agreed with Feyenoord for Slot, with personal terms still to be decided.
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These are not expected to be a stumbling block and reports have claimed Slot could be announced as the next Liverpool manager as early as this week.
While Slot is set to handle coaching matters, Michael Edwards will lead the club's transfer strategy in the summer after returning as CEO of football for FSG, Liverpool's owners.
And he has already set his sights on his first signing in his second spell with the Reds.
According to Italian outlet Sport Mediaset, Liverpool are targeting Atalanta midfielder Teun Koopmeiners.
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The 26-year-old has impressed this season and was part of the team that dumped Liverpool out of the Europa League earlier this month.
Atalanta beat Klopp's side 3-0 in their quarter-final first leg at Anfield before losing the second leg 1-0 to progress on aggregate.
They have now set an asking price of £50m for Dutch midfielder Koopmeiners, who would be reunited with Slot should he move to Anfield.
He previously played under Slot during his year in charge of AZ Alkmaar in the 2019/20 season.
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Koopmeiners has scored 14 goals in 43 game for Atalanta this season and could still end the season with two pieces of silverware.
Gian Piero Gasperini's side face Marseille in the Europa League semi-finals, with the first leg taking place on Thursday.
They are also through to the Coppa Italia final, where they will face Juventus on May 15.
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Napoli and Juventus also been linked with Netherlands international Koopmeiners, who has made 21 appearances for his national side.
Speaking in an interview with De Telegraaf last month, Koopmeiners indicated a desire to leave Atalanta this summer.
"I told the club that in the summer I would like to leave," he said.
"But to leave Bergamo a really interesting offer must arrive, because I hope that Atalanta will earn a good sum from my transfer. I hope to have some options to think about."