Atalanta have reportedly increased Teun Koopmeiners’ asking price to €70m (£60m), with Newcastle United joining Liverpool in the race for the midfielder.

According to Tutto Atalanta, the Serie A side have hiked up the Dutch international’s valuation, with interest once again beginning to increase for Koopmeiners heading into the January window.

As per the report, Newcastle are keeping tabs on the midfielder as a potential replacement for Sandro Tonali, with Inter Milan also in the mix for Koopmeiners.

And as reported by the I News this summer, Liverpool were interested in the Atalanta star as a potential replacement for Fabinho, with the Reds failing to sign a true defensive midfielder.

Whilst Koopmeiners doesn’t fit this tag, the Dutch star would be an ideal signing for Liverpool given his immense versatility and ability to play in almost every midfield role.

Indeed, former Atalanta favourite Domenico Progna lauded the 25-year-old as an ‘extraordinary’ player, and Koopmeiners could be the man Liverpool need to smooth over their midfield issues at the moment.

Liverpool need to beat Newcastle to Koopmeiners in January

Multiple factors seem to be at play here if Liverpool are to land Koopmeiners, with Atlanta’s new price tag and Newcastle’s interest the two glaring issues.

Yet these are things the Reds can overcome if they commit to signing the Dutch international, with Koopmeiners an ideal addition for Jurgen Klopp’s squad.

At £60m, Liverpool will be signing a top midfielder who can flourish in the Premier League, and beating Newcastle could be easier said than done for the Anfield giants.