Liverpool ‘seriously considering’ £51 million hijack for Zubimendi alternative

Liverpool have had one of the best starts to the season but also one of the most underwhelming transfer windows.

The Reds have failed to make a single summer signing so far. However, with four days left to go before Friday night’s deadline, Arne Slot is reportedly eyeing a late deal for a key midfielder.

The Merseyside giants came close to signing Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad earlier in the window but the playmaker’s decision to stay with his boyhood club ended all chances the Reds had of bringing the Spaniard to the Premier League.

Liverpool considering hijacking Juventus deal

And now on the lookout for an alternative, according to a recent report from Fichajes, Liverpool have identified Atalanta’s Teun Koopmeiners as a late option.

The problem with signing Koopmeiners is that he is already close to joining Juventus. The 26-year-old is a top target for Thiago Motta and had, up until now, appeared destined to play at the Allianz.

However, with Liverpool in a more advantageous financial position and Atalanta demanding as much of their £51 million valuation up front, the Premier League outfit are best placed to hijack the midfielder’s proposed move to Turin.

“Liverpool are seriously considering a last-minute move to sign Atalanta midfielder Teun Koopmeiners in a bid to bolster their midfield before the transfer window closes,” a snippet from the outlet’s report said.

That, combined with the fact the Old Lady are a direct league rival of Atalanta’s is almost certain to see the Italian side favour an agreement with Liverpool.

During his three years with Atalanta, Koopmeiners, who has three years left on his deal, has scored 29 goals and registered 15 assists in 129 games in all competitions. The 27-year-old was part of Atalanta’s Europa League squad who beat Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen last season.