'Top of the list': Arne Slot has made 'world-class' £50m player his number one transfer target - journalist

Arne Slot is really keen to sign one player for Liverpool this summer.

A new era has begun at Anfield, with Slot succeeding Jurgen Klopp and hoping to emulate what the legendary German achieved over the years as Reds boss.

The Dutchman has been saying all the right things in the interviews we’ve seen so far, and that has raised the excitement level in and around the club.

However, Liverpool are yet to make any new additions to their squad. So, all eyes are on who Slot will bring to the club as his first signing.

The new Reds head coach is said to have decided his number one target.

Arne Slot makes Teun Koopmeiners his top target but there’s an issue

Liverpool could do with new signings in multiple areas of their pitch.

A new defender is a necessity following Joel Matip’s departure, but the priority has to be a central midfielder – preferably someone versatile.

Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai are expected to be guaranteed starters, but the other spot in the middle of the park is up for grabs.

Liverpool have been linked with plenty of names for that role, but Teun Koopmeiners of Atalanta has been regularly mentioned since Slot’s arrival.

The midfielder, who has been branded as ‘world-class’ by TV commentator Matteo Bonett on X, has worked with the new Liverpool boss before, when he was at the helm at AZ Alkmaar. He played 58 games under Slot, scored 21 goals and provided seven assists.

Now, Italian journalist Xavier Jacobelli has revealed that Slot has made Koopmeiners Liverpool’s top target in this window.

He told TMW: “There is a price for Koopmeiners, which for Atalanta is €60 million (£50.5m), without interest or technical contributions. If the positions remain so, Juventus will have to pay €60 million, otherwise, the player will remain in Bergamo, but let’s not forget the third option, which is Liverpool.

“Arne Slot, who launched it into the AZ Alkmaar, has put him at the top of the list.”

The big problem Liverpool have in Koopmeiners race

Koopmeiners has been one of the best midfielders in the Serie A for over a year.

The 26-year-old played in all three central midfield positions for Atalanta last season, scored 15 goals and provided seven assists in all competitions. He even helped his side knock Liverpool out of the Europa League.

The Reds are right to target the Dutch midfielder – he checks a lot of boxes. But, there is a big problem for Slot in the race to sign him.

TBR Football exclusively revealed that Koopmeiners has made it clear he wants to join Juventus this summer. He wants to play under Thiago Motta next season.

That is a blow for the Merseysiders, who have been told that he is looking to finalise a move to Juve despite the interest from clubs in the Premier League.