Atalanta director Luca Percassi has insisted that the club “does not need to sell” star midfielder Teun Koopmeiners amid Liverpool and Juventus interest.
The Dutch international has been one of the standout performers in Italy for the best part of the last 18 months, bagging an impressive 22 goals and eight assists in all competitions during that period.
Percassi has insisted in an interview with L’Eco di Bergamo that the midfielder hasn’t asked to be sold, despite Koopmeiners himself recently stating that was the case.
“This club is solid and does not need to sell,” the Atalanta official said. “Koopmeiners has not been sold to Juve, nor anyone else. In fact, he never asked us to be sold.”
Koopmeiners’ form has led to plenty of speculation over his long term future in Bergamo, with 90min reporting that Liverpool were among the teams scouting the talented 26-year-old.
The player himself has previously acknowledged links with the Anfield giants: “I saw the links and stories about Liverpool. It’s nice to see.”
Speaking in a recent interview with De Telegraaf, Koopmeiners gave the biggest hint yet regarding where his future lies, revealing that he has told Atalanta that he intends to leave the club during the upcoming transfer window.
“I told Atalanta that next summer I want to leave,” he said. “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.”
