Liverpool have reportedly been keeping a close watch over goings on in Serie A this season.
The Reds are currently preparing for their first transfer window under Arne Slot, and are said to be taking inspiration from the Italian league.
Atalanta have reportedly taken up most of their watching briefs, with Teun Koopmeiners repeatedly linked with a move to Anfield.
During their trips to watch La Dea, Liverpool scouts are also said to have been captivated by Koopmeiners’ teammate Ederson. The Brazilian is one to keep an eye on after bossing the Europa League final.
It isn’t just Atalanta who have seemingly been on the radar, though. Liverpool are also keen on signing a player who’s been impressing for Daniele De Rossi’s Roma.
Liverpool pushing to sign Dean Huijsen
De Rossi has done a fine job at Roma since taking over from Jose Mourinho in January.
Overseeing 25 matches at his hometown club, the 40-year-old has won 14, drawn six and lost just five. For a rookie coach, De Rossi is doing well.
He does of course have his players to thank for that too, and the World Cup winner has overseen a talented squad.
One of those to catch the eye for Roma has been young defender Dean Huijsen. Although he hasn’t been a key starter for De Rossi, the 19-year-old has featured 14 times since joining on-loan from Juventus in January.
Now heading back to Juventus, Tutto Juve claim that Huijsen has caught the attention of clubs across Europe.
Liverpool are reportedly one of sides who’s interest in the teenager is the ‘strongest,’ with Newcastle and Borussia Dortmund being the other two.
Juve are said to be keen to retain Huijsen and are reportedly in conversations to convince him that he’ll be part of the first-team next season. This is claimed to be the player’s preference, although a ‘monster’ offer from elsewhere could supposedly change that.
Dean Huijsen upsets De Rossi.
Huijsen is a very interesting player. Despite being born in the Netherlands, his family relocated to Spain when he was just five.
As a result, the centre-back is eligible to play for Spain, for whom he has represented at U21 level.
Having been in the academy at Malaga, Huijsen joined Juventus in 2021. He’s well thought of at Juve, with former manager Max Allegri hailing Huijsen as an ‘intelligent’ defender [juvefc.com]. However, it hasn’t all been positive for or about the youngster.
Back in February, Huijsen scored just the second senior goal of his career. Following his strike against Frosinone, he celebrated by imitating Cristiano Ronaldo’s famous pose, before shushing the crowd. Huijsen was booked.
It’s fair to say that De Rossi was not impressed. Huijsen did not come out for the second-half. And speaking via foot.mundo after the match, the manager admitted that he’d taken his player off as a result of the incident.
“He will learn from this, he is still very young,” said De Rossi. “I don’t want to lecture him here. Next time he won’t do this again; players learn and grow through experience. He knows that because he celebrated this way he could not start the second half, because he had received a yellow card.”