Atalanta and Bologna interested in AZ Alkmaar defender Sam Beukema | OneFootball

According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Atalanta and Bologna are interested in AZ Alkmaar defender Sam Beukema. The 24-year-old Dutch defender has featured 44 times in all competitions this season, helping AZ to a fourth place finish in the Eredivisie. Beukema featured in all but one of AZ’s Europa Conference league clashes as they progressed to the semi-finals.

The former Go Ahead Eagles defender has attracted interest from Italian Serie A sides Atalanta and Bologna. Atalanta finished the season in fifth place. A superb 5-2 win over Monza on the final day of the campaign secured their Europa League status for next season. Former AZ Alkmaar midfielder Teun Koopmeiners netted a heroic hat-trick to seal the victory. As well as Koopmeiners, Atalanta have two other Dutch players, Marten de Roon and Hans Hateboer. The Dutch connection could easily attract Sam Beukema.

Bologna, on the other hand, is a club with a brilliant reputation for developing young players. This season Dutch duo Joshua Zirkzee and Jerdy Schouten have been playing for the side that finished ninth in Serie A this season. Sam Beukema would be a brilliant addition to either Bologna or Atalanta this summer. The centre-backs current contract at AZ runs until 2026, meaning an attractive fee would be required to make him move away from the AFAS Stadion.

GBeNeFN | Hugo Hargreaves