Liverpool have been heavily linked with a move for Atalanta midfielder Ederson.
The Reds could do with signing a upgrade in defensive midfield this season as they look to plug a few gaps in the squad.
And having had an excellent season with Atalanta, Ederson had reportedly worked his way onto the shortlist at Liverpool. Journalist Fabrizio Romano claimed that the Reds have already even been in contact with Ederson’s agents.
The Brazilian does tick a lot of boxes for Liverpool. Ederson dominated the Europa League final recently and looks like the kind of midfielder Arne Slot might be missing.
However, speaking exclusively to Rousing The Kop, journalist Graeme Bailey has claimed that the Reds have been watching another midfielder much more intently.
Liverpool focusing on Teun Koopmeiners
Liverpool had plenty of opportunity to see the brilliance Ederson was regularly showing this season.
He did well enough against them in the Europa League quarter-final as Atalanta swept Liverpool aside at Anfield.
That game alone signalled that La Dea have some real top quality in their squad. And according to Bailey, Liverpool knew that very well, having been scouting them all campaign.
The journalist says that it was not Ederson they really had their eye on though, but another player who has been regularly linked – Teun Koopmeiners.
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“It’s not actively happening, they’re not in talks with him [Ederson],” says Bailey. “Obviously they’re aware of him, they’ve been watching Atalanta a lot as we know.
“Teun Koopmeiners was always the one who they were really paying attention to. Obviously they’ve seen Ederson but he won’t be arriving at Anfield this summer.”
Bailey also says that while Koopmeiners was of genuine interest to Liverpool, the £60m rated Dutchman is heading to Juventus instead.
“Teun Koopmeiners is going to Juventus, they [Liverpool] won’t try to impede on that,” he says. “He’s going to Juventus with Thiago Motta. It’s not to say that Liverpool definitely won’t sign a midfielder but I think they’re quite happy with that midfield department.”
Will Liverpool sign a new midfielder?
After strengthening their midfield so boldly last summer, it does still feel as though Liverpool could do with a little more.
Wataru Endo was one of the players brought in a year ago and the 31-year-old had a good first year at Anfield. However, he is not an elite defensive midfielder. Liverpool need one.
Nevertheless, the suggestion for now seems that Endo is likely to stay. With Stefan Bajcetic also coming through and Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones capable of lying deeper, maybe Slot will think he has enough.
In our opinion that would be an oversight from the owners. Liverpool tried to sign a top holding player last year and were thwarted. There is little reason to allow that deficiency to carry on for another season.
As things stand though, we don’t think this issue will be addressed. Other players may be on Liverpool’s radar, but they’ll likely feel that priorities lie elsewhere for now.