Rangers have potentially been handed a sizeable boost in their reported pursuit of Heerenveen midfielder Joey Veerman by Serie A side Atalanta.
The Gers are one of a number of sides reportedly interested in the talented Dutch midfielder and were linked alongside Champions League regulars Atalanta by the Scottish Sun last month.
PSV, Ajax and Southampton are other names who’ve been linked to the 22-year-old midfielder making him one of the most sought-after talents in Europe.
However, with the Gers’ intentions firmly under wraps Atalanta have opted to splash the cash elsewhere as they launch a midfielder raid at another Eredivisie club.
According to Tuttosport, AZ Alkmaar midfielder Teun Koopmeiners is set to join the Bergamo club to the tune of £17m (€20m).
With reported interest in Koopmeiners from the likes of Arsenal and AS Roma, this would be considered a sizeable coup for the Italian side.
It isn’t clear if this would impact Atalanta’s transfer plans with Veerman and earlier reports suggested the club had two different Dutch midfielders on a shortlist.
Bergamo e Sport had previously claimed Veerman and Bologna star Jerdy Schouten were two names being considered.
So far there has been no official suggestion Rangers are interested in the player and the latest reports from this country suggest Veerman could cost anywhere up to £8.5m [Scottish Sun].
With the player contracted to Heerenveen until 2024 the Gers would have to fork out but the Ibrox club was named as a potential destination by one of Veerman’s teammates.
“I’ve read things about Atalanta, Rangers, PSV, Ajax and AZ,” said Heerenveen captain Henk Veerman [Voetbalprimeur].
“I expect him to go to one of those clubs. I also think that Joey will add value for any club in the Netherlands.”
If Atalanta’s move for Teun Koopmeiners goes through, then Gers fans will be hoping that the Italian outfit have opted to move elsewhere.
Rangers have already been making moves in the transfer market and one of the club’s newest signings has been talking up his excitement regarding the move to Ibrox.
