Liverpool-linked defender Sam Beukema has admitted that he once rejected Arne Slot but has now expressed his desire to play in the Premier League.
The Merseyside giants are believed to be keen to bolster their backline this summer and they are one of several clubs said to be running the rule over Beukema.
Slot is a long-term admirer of Beukema and attempted to sign the 26-year-old during his time in charge of previous club Feyenoord when the defender was playing for fellow Dutch outfit Go Ahead Eagles.
Beukema was even visited by Slot at his family home in 2021 and the centre-back was accompanied by his Feyenoord-supporting uncle, who made his feelings clear on where he wished to see his nephew play.
"My uncle was even more excited than me! It was a really good conversation and [Slot] showed me things that I hadn't thought of before," Beukema told The Telegraph.
"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'."
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Liverpool-linked Beukema opens up on Slot conversations
Beukema opted to join AZ Alkmaar instead and spent just over two years with the Eredivisie club before making the move to Serie A side Bologna for around €10m in July 2023.
The Deventer-born defender then crossed paths with Slot again earlier this season when Bologna suffered a 2-0 defeat against Liverpool at Anfield in the Champions League.
"[Slot] texted me and wished me good luck and said unfortunately you did not choose us, but I wish you the best for the future," said Beukema. "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."
Beukema has since established himself as a first-team regular for Bologna, making 80 appearances across all competitions including 33 Serie A starts this season for a team who currently sit seventh in the table and remain in contention to secure a top-four finish.
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Beukema: "I always like to challenge myself"
Bologna beat AC Milan 1-0 in the Coppa Italia final on Wednesday night and Beukema played the full 90 minutes to help the Rossoblu win the competition for the first time in 51 years.
Beukema will soon be entering the final two years of his contract at Bologna and he has admitted that he would like to experience playing in the Premier League at some stage in his career.
"I've been following the Premier League since I was a young kid and I love the competition," Beukema added.
"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.
"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."
Beukema has been linked with a move to Liverpool at a time when fellow Dutchman Jeremie Frimpong is believed to have been identified as a potential replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Oliver Thomas
