Manchester United, if reports are to be believed, are looking for a new midfielder this summer. Preferably, a player au fait with expectations required of a world-leading ‘number six’. One capable of stepping into the shoes of the ageing and increasingly-error-prone Casemiro.
But what if we told you that, for the price of around £60 million, Manchester United could get themselves not only a ball-winner but also an elite-deep-lying playmaker, a box-to-box monster and a serious goal threat rolled into one 6ft frame.
Well, that is where Teun Koopmeiners comes in.
According to reports from Italy, Man United sent scouts to watch Koopmeiners – as well as Joshua Zirkzee and Giorgio Scalvini – during Atalanta’s recent Serie A clash with Bologna. Perhaps word of United’s interest has reached the Dutchman’s camp too.
Because, speaking to De Telegraaf, Koopmeiners has now thrown open the doors to the Red Devils by going public with his desire to leave Atalanta, and potentially follow in the footsteps of both Amad Diallo and Rasmus Hojlund by swapping Bergamo for England’s north west.
Manchester United target want ‘wants to leave’
“I told Atalanta I want to leave in the summer,” the former AZ Alkmaar captain admits.
“Last season, there was concrete interest from Napoli, but the two clubs didn’t reach an agreement. I hope there will be options to consider this year. My girlfriend and I are enjoying Italy, but I would endure rain for some clubs in England.
“I’d lie if I said I have no news of interest from Juventus and Premier League clubs. I read the news, too. I’ve had an amazing time at Atalanta, and I hope they will get a big sum (while selling me).”
Koopmeiners, who came up against United boss Ten Hag in the Eredivisie, is about as ‘complete’ a midfielder as you could wish to find on the market. During his time at AZ, Koopmeiners was the man who controlled proceedings in the ‘number six’ spot, even dropping in at centre-half at times.
He has blossomed into a highly-effective, box-crashing ‘number eight’ in Italy, however. Koopmeiners has 12 goals this season – netting a brilliant brace against Juventus recently – and hit not one but two hat-tricks in Serie A during 2022/23.
22 Serie A goals in two seasons from midfield
“Koop is a great player,” says Dutch legend Ruud Krol. “He has international calibre and is a starter for the Dutch national team: I can certainly see him in a big team. Juve or Milan? He would certainly be precious to both of them.
“Koopmeiners can play in all positions in the middle of the pitch. Both as a playmaker and as a (classic) midfielder. He is a complete footballer who would be useful to all coaches.”
There is that word again. ‘Complete’.
With Man United’s midfield in need of some restructuring, a few of Ten Hag’s players ageing and not quite the same force of old, the Red Devils could kill a number of birds with one £60 million stone, Koopmeiners combining the ball-winning prowess of Casemiro with Kobbie Mainoo’s composure and the box-crashing talents of a Scott McTominay.