Bologna defender ‘always’ watches Man United and talks with Zirkzee | OneFootball

Sam Beukema’s displays at Bologna have reportedly been attracting many admirers, including Inter and Real Madrid, but the defender revealed in an interview that he has his football reference in the Premier League, as he follows Manchester United and inspires himself with Liverpool’s Virgil Van Dijk.

After a strong debut season in Serie A under Thiago Motta, the Dutch centre-back has solidified his status as a defensive cornerstone for the Rossoblu under coach Vincenzo Italiano, starting 21 consecutive league games this season before being rested in his side’s most recent draw at Lecce.

BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 04: Mateo Retegui of Atalanta BC competes for the ball with Sam Beukema of Bologna FC during the Coppa Italia, Quarter Final match between Atalanta BC and Bologna FC at Gewiss Stadium on February 04, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Reports in recent weeks suggested the 26-year-old may be closing in on a move to a European giant next summer, but while he feels ready to discuss ‘concrete’ opportunities if they come up, he insisted that he is ‘in love with Bologna’

Beukema: I’m in touch with Zirkzee, Van Dijk ‘a step above everyone’

“Juventus, Inter, Atletico, and Real Madrid are following me? My dad is my agent along with another person, and I’ve always told them: when something concrete comes up, we’ll talk about it,” Beukema told La Gazzetta dello Sport in an interview.

“Otherwise, nothing. We’ve never discussed the market, but I am in love with Bologna, it’s a special city, with polite people and passionate fans.

“It could be because I spent many summers as a kid in Riccione, where we have an apartment: I love everything about this area.”

“We had Thiago Motta and now Italiano: we had a fantastic season last year, and we’re still up there this year.

“We are a family, one united body. Last year, before the game against Juve, in the locker room, they showed us a video made by the press office. It featured all our families—parents, friends, wives, girlfriends—wishing us well with compliments and love.

“I still get chills thinking about my parents saying they’re proud of me. We can return to Europe because we are strong, without being presumptuous.”

Although several Italian and La Liga clubs are reportedly the most interested in him, Beukema admits that he ‘always’ watches Manchester United, where his friend Joshua Zirkzee moved last summer after a season together at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara. He also keeps an eye on the Premier League to draw inspiration from a player he describes as ‘a step above everyone.’

“My role model? I think Van Dijk is a step above everyone,” Beukema continued.

“I dream of playing alongside him in the National Team, and also with Zirkzee. Josh and I always stay in touch, even this morning. We don’t just talk about football, but about life.

“I always watch Manchester United. We have a group chat with him, Ndoye, and others, there’s a truly strong friendship between all of us. There was an incredible chemistry between us that still exists today, huge, unique.”

Beukema also revealed in a previous interview that he had turned down a proposal to join Arne Slot at Feyenoord.