Juventus interested in Atalanta’s Teun Koopmeiners

Juventus are interested in signing Atalanta midfielder Teun Koopmeiners, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.

The Bianconeri like the player’s profile, but there are genuine fears they won’t be able to afford him and have lined up Morten Hjulmand of Lecce as a back-up option.

Juventus want to rebuild their midfield this summer, and Koopmeiners is their top target. The Dutch midfielder is a Swiss army knife that can fill several positions.

The Jong AZ graduate was a deep-lying playmaker originally but can also function as a box-to-box midfielder and in a more attacking role.

Koopmeiners has even filled in at centre-back. He is a distinguished long-range passer of the ball with his left foot but surprisingly records a low pass completion rate.

The midfielder turns 25 tomorrow and has already captained his former club AZ Alkmaar. He is already considered a leader in La Dea despite only arriving in August 2021 for €14 million.

Koopmeiners has bagged six goals and three assists in 23 Serie A appearances this season. He is a Dutch international with 15 caps to his name.

Juventus cannot afford Atalanta’s €50 million valuation despite the interest. They are in a terrible financial situation, and their finances are under the watch of the Italian football federation.

The club are unlikely to qualify for the Champions League after a 15-point deduction. They have limited funds for transfers.

Juventus will hope to negotiate a lower fee, but the Bergamo-based would rather sell to foreign clubs.

Atalanta also have Hjulmand on their list of targets to replace Koopmeiners if he leaves this summer. They have even held talks for him.

AS Roma want to rival Juventus and Atalanta for Hjulmand. They have opened negotiations to take him ahead of their competitors.