The transfer saga involving Juventus and Atalanta seems to have turned into a strategic chess match rather than just a market intrigue. Both clubs are eyeing Teun Koopmeiners, and the situation is far from being settled. As part of the ongoing complexities between the two teams, Atalanta might also enter the fray for Nico Gonzalez, who has been identified as a primary attacking target for Juventus.
Atalanta is in a stronger position financially after securing funds from the potential sale of Koopmeiners. Recently, they finalized the purchase of Lazar Samardzic from Udinese for €21 million plus €4 million in bonuses. This deal was concluded amid ongoing negotiations with Celtic for midfielder Matt O’Riley, whom Atalanta considered an ideal replacement for Koopmeiners. However, Celtic’s refusal to budge from their asking price of around €30 million for O’Riley forced Atalanta to shift focus to Samardzic.
The Serbian midfielder, known for his offensive capabilities, will undergo medical checks before signing a five-year contract. With this new addition, Atalanta feels more secure in case they have to part ways with Koopmeiners. The club is currently engaging in diplomatic efforts to reconsider the situation, having brought Koopmeiners and his agent in for discussions with club management, including co-president Steve Pagliuca.
Despite this, Koopmeiners is adamant about joining Juventus, although he understands that his contract with Atalanta runs until 2028 and he cannot force a move. Should Atalanta proceed with the sale, they may pursue Gonzalez aggressively, keeping an eye on his availability since they’ve already shown interest to Fiorentina.
Meanwhile, Juventus is waiting patiently, confident in their agreement with Koopmeiners and understanding his desire to join. They currently have no backup plans, and if they miss out on Koopmeiners, they might choose to remain as they are in the midfield. Juventus sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli is determined to secure the deal, while Koopmeiners continues to skip training due to ongoing medical evaluations.
In parallel, Juventus also sees Gonzalez as a top priority and is willing to negotiate for a permanent deal. However, the club faces challenges as Fiorentina’s president, Rocco Commisso, reportedly wants over €30 million for Gonzalez. The player has already expressed his wish to move to Juventus, having reached an agreement on personal terms.
As the situation unfolds, Juventus is also considering other options, including waiting on a response from Milan defender Pierre Kalulu and keeping an eye on Porto’s Conceiçao Junior as a potential loan addition. The coming days promise to be crucial as both clubs navigate this intricate transfer web.