Manchester United and Newcastle are reportedly showing an interest in signing Atalanta midfielder Teun Koopmeiners in the upcoming January transfer window.
According to Tutto Atalanta, Manchester United and Newcastle United are eyeing a January move for Atalanta playmaker Teun Koopmeiners, who is valued at €70 million.
Koopmeiners joined Atalanta from Dutch outfit AZ Alkmaar for just €14 million in the summer of 2021 and has since racked up 90 appearances for the club. He has scored 17 goals and added 10 assists. He has made 12 appearances for them this season, only missing one match due to injury, and has three goals and two assists this term.
The 25-year-old has been a crucial player for La Dea, helping them to a fifth-place finish in Serie A last season. The club have recently extended his contract until 2028, which means they’re in no rush to sell the Dutch maestro.
The Italian outfit would rather postpone any decision about Koopmeiners’ future until the summer of 2024. But they will still be bracing themselves in case a suitor does firm up their interest in the Dutchman against their wishes.
To prise him out of Bergamo, though, the interested party would need to pay a heavy price. Indeed, the report claims Atalanta are aiming to receive between €60-70 million for the Netherlands international after rejecting a €45 million proposal from Napoli earlier this year.
Club representatives from Newcastle are said to have already started scouting Koopmeiners, while a struggling Manchester United side are also showing fresh interest in the Dutchman’s services.
The Magpies, for one, invested in the ballpark of €70 million on Italian international Sandro Tonali in the summer transfer window and could do nothing but watch on in frustration as their record summer signing was handed a 10-month ban for placing illegal bets, keeping him out of action until August 2024.
With limited midfield options available to Eddie Howe, Newcastle are now planning to make a move in the January transfer market to bolster the squad as they look to stay in the mix for a top-four finish.
If Newcastle are able to bring Koopmeiners to the Premier League, he could certainly be a brilliant addition to Eddie Howe’s squad. His ability to play as an attacking midfielder, holding midfielder, or even as a centre-back can make him an incredibly useful player on any side.
Not to mention, his incredible passing variety, range, and decent mobility in the engine room could offer the Magpies a different dimension in terms of dictating games in possession.
As for Manchester United, Casemiro and Christian Eriksen, both of whom have had their moments during their stint at the club, especially last season, have not been great this season, while the likes of Mason Mount and Sofyan Amrabat have largely flattered to deceive.
Casemiro even missed Saturday’s narrow 1-0 win against Fulham because of injury—adding to a remarkable list that manager Erik ten Hag is dealing with—and faces several more weeks on the sidelines. For the moment, the Red Devils have to make do, but in January they can work to add quality to their squad, making Koopmeiners a viable option.
Having said that, both the Glazers and the PIF may not spend much in January, so if the Red Devils or the Magpies want him on a permanent basis, it could be that next summer is when the move happens.