Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United have changed their stance on Atalanta defensive midfielder Teun Koopmeiners.
That is according to TuttoJuve, who are reporting that Newcastle are looking at Koopmeiners as a potential replacement for Sandro Tonali.
So, what is being reported about Newcastle United and Teun Koopmeiners? Let’s take a look.
What’s the story?
Well, according to TuttoJuve, Newcastle United are interested in signing Teun Koopmeiners, but the Magpies cannot afford him in the January transfer window.
Newcastle are looking at Koopmeiners as a potential replacement for Sandro Tonali, who is serving a ban at the moment.
Atalanta are willing to sell the 25-year-old in the middle of the season, but the Italian club value him at €55 million (£48.20 million).
That is too much for Newcastle due to FFP regulations, so the Premier League club have decided to wait until the end of the season to try to get a deal done for Koopmeiners, described as “extraordinary” by Atalanta hero Domenico Progna.
TuttoJuve has added that Newcastle’s new stance on Koopmeiners could open for the door for Inter Milan and Juventus, although neither Serie A club would be willing to pay €55 million (£48.20 million) for him.
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Newcastle United stance on Teun Koopmeiners could open door for Arsenal and Liverpool
If Newcastle United decided to wait until the end of the season to make a bid for Teun Koopmeiners, then it could open the door for Liverpool and Arsenal.
Earlier this week, TEAMTalk reported that Arsenal and Liverpool are keeping tabs on Koopmeiners, who is one of the better defensive midfielders in Serie A.
Liverpool and Arsenal are bigger clubs than Newcastle and are also very likely to end up in the top four of the Premier League table this season.
Arsenal or Liverpool could even beat Manchester City to the Premier League title. Newcastle may not even end up in the UEFA Champions League places.
So, a move to the Emirates Stadium or to Anfield would be more appealing to Koopmeiners than a transfer to St. James’ Park.
I understand that Newcastle have FFP issues to deal it, but I think that if they wait until the summer of 2024 for Koopmeiners, then they could miss out on his services.