"Other clubs were interested" – Midfielder who moved for £51 million this summer hints at rejecting Liverpool
Juventus new boy Teun Koopmeiners has suggested that he rejected Liverpool to secure a move to Thiago Motta's side earlier this summer.
Last month, Juventus snapped up Koopmeiners from Atalanta after agreeing a £43 million initial fee and £8 million in potential add-ons. They handed the player a pay hike and tied him down to a deal until 2029.
During his recent unveiling ceremony at the Bianconeri, Koopmeiners was queried if he was close to joining other clubs in the summer transfer window. He responded (h/t X/@FabrizioRomano):
"Maybe yes, other clubs were interested in me this summer... but I was only interested in Juventus."
Earlier this summer, Italian outlet TUTTOmercatoWEB reported that Koopmeiners was a key target for Liverpool head coach Arne Slot. The ex-Feyenoord boss was interested in adding the Dutch midfielder to his ranks as he coached the 26-year-old earlier at AZ Alkmaar.
Koopmeiners, who made his Juventus in a 0-0 Serie A draw against AS Roma on September 1, relished a stellar campaign for Atalanta last time around. He registered 15 goals and seven assists in 51 overall outings for them, guiding them to the UEFA Europa League crown.
Liverpool star heaps praise on Arne Slot
Speaking to club media, Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker showered praise on new head coach Arne Slot following a perfect start to the 2024-25 season. He said:
"His ideas are not too complicated. He's a really smart manager... not only about the way he thinks about football but the way he implements his ideas, it's really clear. The message is really clear, so for us players it's not too complicated and I think that's what we are showing on the pitch. Now we get confidence from doing the things that he asks us to do."
Alisson, who has started all three of the Reds' games this term, added:
"But he demands a lot of hard work from us and from our side, we have to keep going with these kind of things. But the answer the players are giving on the pitch is unbelievable, the hard work is so good... we have to highlight that. So, that's why I think we are doing so well at the beginning of the season."
Liverpool, who finished third with 82 points last season, are second in the 2024-25 Premier League table with nine points from three games.
The Anfield outfit will next be in action in their Premier League contest against Nottingham Forest at Anfield on Saturday (September 14).