Man Utd and Liverpool could save millions as Euro 2024 manager faces major setback

Manchester United and Liverpool could see millions knocked off Teun Koopmeiners’ asking price as the Dutchman faces the prospect of missing Euro 2024. Koopmeiners was injured during the warm-up ahead of the Netherlands’ 4-0 win over Iceland on Monday.

Despite the thumping victory, it was largely a night of worrying news for Dutch fans as manager Ronald Koeman revealed that their star midfielder, Frenkie de Jong, had not recovered in time to feature at this summer’s tournament.

Koopmeiners’ warm-up injury threatens to leave the Netherlands even lighter in midfield. And while an assessment of the Atalanta star’s issue is still to come, Koeman admitted that he has a ‘bad feeling’ about the player’s Euro 2024 prospects.

Atalanta reportedly planned to wait until after the Euros before cashing in on Koopmeiners due to the possibility of a strong tournament driving up his price tag. Liverpool, United and Juventus have all been credited with interest in the 26-year-old.

According to Calciomercato, Juve would struggle to spend more than £34million on the player, while United are prepared to stump up £60m. Liverpool’s primary calling card is offering Koopmeiners the chance to reunite with manager Arne Slot, whom he worked with at AZ Alkmaar.

United and the Reds may not need to cough up so much cash after all, with Atalanta’s hopes of banking a premium price for Koopmeiners after Euro 2024 at risk of going up in smoke.

The midfield maestro still won’t come cheap after a superb Serie A campaign in which he found the net 12 times. Despite Koopmeiners’ keen eye for goal, former AZ boss Pascal Jansen believes it’s his energy and versatility which sets him apart from the rest.

“His stamina is amazing,” Jansen told Sky Sports. “His pressing and chasing abilities when out of possession, I would almost say they are inhuman. He also had a good profile to play as a central defender as well.

“He played some games there, top games, because it also allowed us to create a plus one in midfield. He had good vision, good awareness and was very comfortable on the ball with his view of the pitch.”

Jerdy Schouten, Joey Veerman and Tijjani Reinders played in central midfield against Iceland in the absence of De Jong and Koopmeiners. It remains to be seen whether Koeman sticks with that trio when the Netherlands get their Euro 2024 campaign underway against Poland on Sunday.