Liverpool urged to increase offer by £11.5m to secure £40m signing, say reports
Liverpool have reportedly made a £40 million offer for Atalanta midfielder Teun Koopmeiners. However, they have been told by Atalanta to increase their bid by £11.5 million. Despite already signing four midfielders in the summer, Liverpool is still looking to strengthen their midfield. Koopmeiners has been identified as a potential replacement for Fabinho, who left the club in the summer. Atalanta president Antonio Percassi considers Koopmeiners to be ‘non-transferable’ and will only listen to offers between £51.5-55 million. Liverpool will likely need to improve their offer by at least £11.5 million to secure the transfer.
Koopmeiners is highly sought-after as a defensive midfielder in world football. If Liverpool delays their pursuit until the summer, they could face even tougher competition for his signature. Koopmeiners has expressed that the links with Liverpool are nice but remains committed to Atalanta, where he is happy to play. Atalanta holds negotiation power as Koopmeiners is under contract for over three more years.
Liverpool might need to alter their transfer plans after learning that Mohamed Salah could be out for at least a month due to a hamstring injury suffered while playing for Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations. There are reports that Liverpool wants to bring Salah back to Merseyside to control his treatment plan, which has allegedly frustrated Egypt. Jurgen Klopp confirmed the plan to bring Salah back but couldn’t say if it has been finalized.
