RoboKoop would love to play in the Champions League, but his Godess won't let him leave

The champions of Italy are enduring hard times in the market. Their attempts of landing Gabri Veiga ended with the Spaniard heading to Saudi Arabia - and Atalanta rejected their $49 million bid for Dutch defensive midfielder Teun Koopmeiners.

Napoli has been trying to lure the Dutchman under Rudi Garcia's wing for weeks, but it was not meant to be. The negotiation definitively closed last week, with the Serie A holders shifting their attention to Veiga, only to see the youngster go to Al-Ahli.

It's no secret that Koopmeiners was drawn to Napoli, a club where he could have played in the Champions League, despite having renewed his contract with Atalanta a few months prior. However, Atalanta views him as a key member of the first team. After cashing in on substantial sales like Rasmus Hojlund to Manchester United, Jeremie Boga to Nice, Joakim Maehle to Wolfsburg, and Merih Demiral to Al Ahli, they felt they could afford to hold on to their RoboKoop - and say no to $49 million.

Koopmeiners is coming off an exceptional season, highlighted by ten goals and four assists.

This isn't Napoli's first time trying to recruit the 25-year-old Oranje international. Namely, the Blues were interested in him two years ago, while he was still playing for AZ Alkmaar in his homeland. However, he ended up at Atalanta and took no time at all to impress for Gian Piero Gasperini's side.

La Dea intends to keep Koopmeiners for at least one more season before considering any offers. Meanwhile, Napoli will have to explore the market in these final days to find the potential gift for Garcia. One good aspect of this transfer window is that Piotr Zielinski has stayed despite rumours of his possible move to Saudi Arabia. The Pole is set to be handed a new contract at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.