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Liverpool has immediate chance to assess $54m Jamal Musiala alternative after transfer admission

Liverpool scouts can use the international break to check on Teun Koopmeiners. The Atalanta ace has already opened the door to a summer move to Anfield..

In his nine years as Liverpool boss, there is only one trophy that has eluded Jürgen Klopp. While the Reds have more often than not been in the Champions League— reaching the final on three occasions — the German is yet to claim a Europa League winners’ medal.

 

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That could of course change this season with Liverpool remaining favorites to win the competition, meaning the last game of Klopp’s tenure could be in Dublin on May 22. It has been a stroll into the quarter-finals but Atalanta now stand in the way of a place in the last four.

 

The Serie A side knocked out Sporting CP in the last round and will fancy its chances of causing an upset. Atalanta is enjoying a decent campaign domestically too and is right in the mix for Champions League qualification.

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At the heart of its impressive campaign is Dutch international Teun Koopmeiners. The 26-year-old has found the net 10 times already this season, with only three midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues scoring more. In news that will delight Gareth Southgate, they all happen to be English — Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer and Phil Foden.

 

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Koopmeiners’ form is not a one off either. In fact, he is one of only three midfielders to hit double figures in consecutive campaigns, as per Transfermarkt. It will come as no surprise to see Foden feature again, while Bayern Munich ace Jamal Musiala also makes the cut.

 

It is quite the company for Koopmeiners to keep. Foden, still only 23, is being tipped to win the Player of the Year award in the Premier League, while Musiala’s performances will be key to how Germany perform at this summer’s European Championships.

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Musiala has emerged as a potential target for Liverpool in recent weeks, amid suggestions he will look to leave Bayern this summer. The Daily Star reports that he has snubbed a new contract and is keen on moving to the Premier League. Any deal won’t come cheap though, with Musiala likely to cost around $127m (£100m/€117m).

 

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It remains to be seen if Liverpool’s next manager will prioritize more midfield additions after last summer’s overhaul, but Koopmeiners resembles a more affordable alternative, with similar productivity. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Liverpool has been monitoring the ex-AZ Alkmaar man, although Juventus is also keen on keeping him in Italy. He would likely cost more than half of what Musiala would too, with Atalanta looking for around $54m (£43m/€50m).

 

While away on international duty, Koopmeiners has fueled transfer speculation, making no secret of the fact that he would open to a move to the Premier League. “Last year there was concrete interest from Napoli. However, in the end the two clubs did not find an agreement. I told Atalanta that in the coming summer I want to move,” he told De Telegraaf.

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‘My fiancée and I are having a great time in Italy, but for some clubs in England I could even bear the rainy days there… I hope options present themselves so I can think about it. I would be lying if I said I didn’t hear the news about the interest from Juventus and Premier League clubs have shown to me.”

 

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Liverpool will get a chance to watch Koopmeiners in close quarters in the Europa League double-header next month, and assess him against its current midfield options. But before then, a golden opportunity to make checks on him and Musiala presents itself during the international break.

 

The pair are due to face off when Netherlands takes on Germany in a friendly in Frankfurt on March 26 as both nations step up their Euros preparations. If transfer speculation is to be believed, Liverpool’s scouts will surely be in attendance to decide if either is to be the first big signing of the post-Klopp era.

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