Atalanta respond to Liverpool & Juventus' interest in Teun Koopmeiners

Atalanta have denied receiving direct contact from interested clubs regarding midfielder Teun Koopmeiners, despite him being linked with a move to Liverpool.

Serie A star Koopmeiners has been making headlines for months, scoring 11 goals in 26 appearances in the league already this season. He's been heavily linked with a move away, and reports from Italy claim Liverpool and Juventus are among the clubs eyeing up the Netherlands international.

However, Atalanta have revealed they have not received 'direct interest' from any clubs, with director general Antonio Percassi recently asked about rumours linking Koopmeiners with an exit.

He told Mediaset: "Let's just say that Atalanta do not need to sit down and talk about their players at this stage. It's normal that Koopmeiners and others are doing well, so consequently can attract interest from various clubs.

“However, we have not received any direct interest. We'll see later on, we'll sit down and talk once the season has closed, and whatever we do will be with the objective of strengthening the squad."

Despite Atalanta rubbishing any immediate movement on Koopmeiners, the midfielder has already admitted he does plan to leave in the summer and could see himself playing in England.

Speaking to De Telegraaf in March about his future, he said: "I told Atalanta that next summer I want to leave. Already last year there was a concrete interest from Napoli but in the end, the clubs couldn’t find an agreement.

"My girlfriend and I love life in Italy, but for some clubs in England, I'd be willing to tolerate the rain! I hope that options arise that I can reflect on. And I also hope that Atalanta receives a good sum, because I had a wonderful time in Bergamo."

Koopmeiners' Atalanta will ironically face Liverpool in the quarter-finals of this season's Europa League.

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