Teun Koopmeiners reveals why he turned down Everton transfer in summer
Atalanta midfielder Teun Koopmeiners has revealed the reason why he turned down Everton after they “came knocking” last summer.
Rafa Benitez was linked with a transfer for the Netherlands international after he left AZ Alkmaar, but ultimately he ended up in Serie A with Atalanta in a €12m deal.
After a great start to life in Italy, Koopmeiners has told De Gelderlander why he made the decision to join Atalanta and in turn reject a move to Goodison Park and the Premier League.
According to the Dutch outlet, Everton and Rennes both came knocking but Koopmeiners says that there were certain needs that his next club needed to meet and that took him to Italy in the end.
“It’s a club with a structure, with a well-thought-out policy, and it has been consistent in its performances for a while now,” he said. “We are in the Champions League and at the top of Serie A.
“Atalanta fulfilled many of the wishes that I had when choosing a new club. Don’t think I was sitting with a notepad on my lap crossing out or adding plus signs, but I did have a few points that my new club had to meet.
“Think of the quality of life, which is particularly good here. Don’t get that wrong either; I really don’t want to lie on the beach all day or sit on a terrace eating pizza, but Bergamo is a beautiful city where me and my girlfriend Rosa can live well.
“When you drive home from training, you also want to be happy. Where I live now, the surroundings look like a postcard. Italy has always appealed to me.”
Harsh but true
While it might be harsh reading for Everton fans, Koopmeiners hasn’t told any lies with his answers.
Everton are a club right now that have problems within their hierarchy, as can be seen following the departure of Marcel Brands and the appointment of Rafa Benitez despite plenty of opposition.
Everton aren’t playing European football, are currently in a battle nearer the relegation places than the top seven and Liverpool just isn’t as pretty a sight as Bergamo.
He’s currently playing regularly in a team challenging for the league title and that was playing in the Champions League in the first half of the season, although they were eliminated at the group stages.
The ‘classy‘ midfielder would have been a perfect signing for the Toffees, with his energy, passing ability and defensive awareness making him the perfect base alongside Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure.
Unfortunately he’s another name that gets added to the list of missed opportunities for the club.
In other Everton news, Serie A giants ‘make approach’ for Toffees star over potential January move.