Juventus has taken a significant step in the transfer market by making their first formal offer for Atalanta midfielder Teun Koopmeiners. This move signals their intentions not just to Atalanta, who have been frustrated with Juventus’s silence until now, but also to Koopmeiners himself, who has been waiting for this opportunity to arise after pledging his commitment to the club.
Juventus’ initial bid is reported to be €45 million, which falls short of Atalanta’s asking price of €60 million. While this first offer may not satisfy Atalanta, it establishes a starting point for negotiations. With negotiations likely to follow the standard transfer window protocol, discussions can now evolve.
The Bianconeri are hopeful that Koopmeiners will act as a key ally in the negotiations, similar to how Jean-Clair Todibo withdrew from a friendly match with Nice to facilitate his impending transfer to Juventus. Additionally, youngster Matias Soulé also took steps to expedite his transfer to Roma by asking not to play in a recent match.
In a recent friendly, Koopmeiners started the match, and now it’s anticipated that he may use his influence to push Atalanta toward a deal with Juventus. Juventus could potentially increase their offer, perhaps including a player swap, with Daniele Rugani as a possible option, or by adding performance-related bonuses. However, it remains unlikely that they will match Atalanta’s €60 million valuation outright.
Juventus sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli is keen to wrap up the Koopmeiners deal to bolster the midfield, building on recent signings like Douglas Luiz and Khéphren Thuram, while also retaining key players such as Manuel Locatelli, Nicolò Fagioli, and Fabio Miretti. The Dutch midfielder, who missed the Euro 2024 due to injury, would seamlessly fit into Juventus’s tactical setup, playing as an advanced playmaker to support star striker Dusan Vlahovic.
Giuntoli’s overarching strategy is to secure defensive reinforcements, with a focus on Todibo, and to strengthen the midfield with Koopmeiners as quickly as possible. This would allow Juventus to concentrate on revamping their attack throughout August, especially concerning players like Federico Chiesa and Arkadiusz Milik, as they explore both investments and loan opportunities to optimize their squad for the upcoming season.
