Koopmeiners confirms Roma and Atalanta talks as Mourinho eyes Xhaka alternative
AZ Alkmaar midfielder Teun Koopmeiners admitted he thought a move away from the club ‘would go smoother’ and confirmed he’s currently talking with Roma and Atalanta.
Koopmeiners has been linked with a move to Serie A in recent months and he is eager to resolve his future as soon as possible.
“I thought everything would go smoother,” the midfielder said, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. “In my head, there’s a lot to do.
“This situation brings stress because, in the end, you think about it every day. If the transfer doesn’t take place before the start of the season, I will just have to play well and put as many minutes as possible in my legs.”
Atalanta seemed to be on the verge of closing a deal, but Roma have entered the chase to compete with their rivals.
“I understand that people think I have said goodbye to the club for some time, but especially in this period, marked by the coronavirus pandemic, a goodbye is only true at the time of signing,” the player added.
“As I said, it’s a stressful situation, but I manage to be calm enough, also because I’m in a good situation. AZ is not a club I want to leave at all costs.”
Koopmeiners confirmed the two possible destinations, as he reportedly nodded when asked if Roma and Atalanta were the clubs currently negotiating.
“The talks are in full swing.”
The 23-year-old defensive midfielder is the captain of the Eredivisie team and has been capped once by Holland so far in his career.
He has spent his whole career at AZ Alkmaar, coming through the academy before making his debut in the first team four years ago. His contract at the AFAS Stadium expires in June 2023.
Teun #Koopmeiners rivela: “Situazione snervante, i colloqui con i club sono in pieno svolgimento”. E alla domanda se le squadre in questione sono #ASRoma e #Atalanta, fa di sì con la testa…#CalciomercatoRoma #ASR #Transfers #Calciomercato https://t.co/6oONMY22Kn
— Giallorossi.net (@g_iallorossi) August 2, 2021
The Dutch midfielder has emerged as one of Roma’s targets in midfield as Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka seems destined to stay at Arsenal with Mikel Arteta who has confirmed the Swiss international won’t leave the Emirates Stadium this summer.