Sam Beukema has been linked with a move to Liverpool for several years and he has now opened up on how he secretly met with Reds manager Arne Slot
11:03, 15 May 2025
Arne Slot held talks at his home with the transfer target
Arne Slot held talks at his home with the transfer target(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Liverpool target Sam Beukema is champing at the bit for a crack at Premier League glory - even after giving Arne Slot the cold shoulder before.
The Bologna centre half has caught the Reds' eye as they plot to strengthen their backline to defend their historic 20th league title next season. The Dutch dynamo brushed off an earlier approach from fellow countryman Slot when he was flying high with Go Ahead Eagles, only to find Slot knocking once more, this time hoping to lure him to Feyenoord.
Beukema even visited the tactical mastermind's home for a chat and a deep dive into how he'd slot into the mix at Feyenoord. Talking to The Telegraph, the 26-year-old revealed: "My uncle was even more excited than me! It was a really good conversation and he showed me things that I hadn't thought of before.
"You could see he approached football differently to other managers and I had a really good feeling – and so did my uncle. He told me to go there but I said, 'let's wait'."
Despite being wowed by Slot, Beukema took a punt on joining AZ Alkmaar instead, one of Feyenoord's top rivals in the Eredivisie, before making the move to Italy.
Sam Beukema
Sam Beukema has been linked with a move to Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
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Slot, true to form, messaged him once his move was sorted, and the pair found themselves in each other's orbit yet again as Liverpool clashed with Beukema’s Bologna in the Champions League, reports the Mirror.
Beukema said: "He texted me and wished me good luck and said unfortunately you did not choose us, but I wish you the best for the future. We played Liverpool this season and I spoke with him, he asked how I was and said, 'Now at this level, we are here'.
"He said, 'You played a good game and surprised us, we didn't expect you to be so aggressive and do so well with the ball'. I think he expected an easier game, but gave us a really big compliment."
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The star may cross paths with Slot again soon, as Beukema wants to test his mettle in England. "I've been following the Premier League since I was a young kid and I love the competition," explained Beukema.
"For me it is maybe the best league to play in. I'm playing in a really big league, but the Premier League is something different with all the big teams, the high level. You see the atmosphere also and it is amazing.
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"Let's see. I always like to challenge myself. I challenge myself a lot at Bologna, but I don't know what will happen in the future. You can feel something special is coming here.
"We have these two objectives and want to achieve them both. We want to make history with the final. It will be really big for this club."