Liverpool are reportedly prepared to miss out on Atalanta BC midfielder Teun Koopmeiners this summer.
The La Dea playmaker has suffered a frustrating summer on the international stage, failing to make the Netherlands' squad for Euro 2024 in Germany.
Koopmeiners missed out on selection due to a last-minute injury, with the midfielder picking up a groin issue during his nation's warm-up camp for the tournament.
Focusing on club matters, the former AZ Alkmaar man enjoyed a success-laden term for Atalanta, who lifted the Europa League in late May, ending Bayer Leverkusen's season-long unbeaten run during a memorable final.
Gian Piero Gasperini's troops were also highly competent on the domestic scene in 2023-24, finishing fourth in Serie A and securing a spot in next season's revamped Champions League.
Liverpool target to reject Reds in favour of Juventus?
According to Italian outlet Tutto Juve, Koopmeiners has snubbed the advances of Liverpool this summer in order to stay in Serie A ahead of the new season.
The report claims that the Dutchman is not keen on a move to England at this stage of his career and would only entertain a summer transfer to Juventus.
It is understood that the 26-year-old and the Old Lady have agreed on a deal, however there are still obstacles to overcome before the midfielder is unveiled at Allianz Arena.
Rated at £50m by La Dea after playing such an integral part in their Europa League victory, Koopmeiners is hoping that Atalanta and Juventus can quickly shake hands on a suitable transfer fee.
New Liverpool manager Arne Slot is said to be a massive admirers of Koopmeiners, with the pair spending time together at AZ Alkmaar in 2020.
Where do Liverpool look next for Slot's first signing?
After reportedly being rejected by Koopmeiners, Liverpool are being forced to wait a little longer for the first signing of the post-Jurgen Klopp era.
The Reds have also been linked with Atalanta attacker Ademola Lookman, who netted a sensational hat-trick in the Europa League final to down Xabi Alonso's Leverkusen.
Liverpool are said to be interested in Koopmeiners's midfield partner Ederson, with the Brazilian returning to Italy recently following a summer of Copa America action in the United States.
Slot's first signing could arrive in the form of a Virgil van Dijk successor, with Sporting Lisbon's Goncalo Inacio a 'priority' target for the Merseysiders.
