Liverpool target Atalanta midfielder as first signing of Arne Slot revolution
Premier League side Liverpool have entered the race to sign Atalanta midfielder Ederson, according to reports in Italy.
The Reds are hoping to begin the Arne Slot era on a strong footing, and the 24-year-old Brazilian would represent an ideal first signing for the Dutchman, who has been chosen as Jürgen Klopp’s successor after his nine-year reign at Anfield came to an emotional close, himself leaving Feyenoord. His final campaign saw Liverpool beat Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley in February.
Ederson has been previously linked with Newcastle, but the Reds will hope to steal in and secure his services after his impressive display in Atalanta’s 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League final last week.
The Italian club knocked Liverpool out of the competition on their way to success in Dublin, and Ederson’s performances caught the eye in particular.
Reds want more midfield reinforcements
In Klopp’s final summer, the focus of their transfer dealings was on revamping the midfield. While the likes of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho departed, Alexis Mac Allister, Wataru Endo, Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch joined. Endo’s signing from Stuttgart was seen as the most defensive, and therefore most similar to the profile Ederson, who is six years younger.
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The report also says that Liverpool had also watched Dutchman Teun Koopmeiners, who played so effectively alongside Ederson in Dublin against Leverkusen. The links made sense because he had played under incoming boss Slot at AZ Alkmaar, but with Ederson in sight on Merseyside, Juventus are said to now have a free run at Koopmeiners. Reds scouts had been watching him, but shifted their attention with Ederson’s performances impressing.
Ederson joined Atalanta in 2022 from Salernitana and has since played 70 league games for the club. His performances this season also helped them finish in the top four, meaning they qualified for the Champions League through their league position having already secured it with their Europa League triumph. Ederson has not been selected for Brazil’s Copa America squad, having not yet made his senior debut for the Selecao. In fact, he has only played once for the under-20 side.
Were he to join Liverpool in the summer, he would also get the chance to play Champions League football after the club secured their place after a year away. But there will be hope that Slot can build on the final season under Klopp and challenge for the Premier League title again.
