Premier League clubs have been handed a boost in the race to sign Ademola Lookman, the reigning CAF African Footballer of the Year, this summer.
Lookman’s contract with Atalanta expires in the summer of 2026, so the Italian club is eager to cash in on the Nigerian forward.
According to reports in Italy, Atalanta are expected to demand a transfer fee of at least £50 million for the Nigerian international.
Read Also: Ademola Lookman: From London to African Football King
The 27-year-old Nigerian winger, who scored a stunning hat-trick in Atalanta’s Europa League final win last season, is reportedly seeking a new challenge at the end of the current campaign.
His potential departure follows controversial remarks from Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini, who recently criticized Lookman’s penalty-taking ability after the attacker missed a crucial spot-kick in their 3-1 Champions League play-off defeat to Club Brugge.
Gasperini labelled Lookman as one of the “worst penalty takers” he had ever seen, sparking speculation over a possible rift.
Atalanta co-owner Stephen Pagliuca has since defended Lookman, suggesting that Gasperini’s comments were unfair.
“He made a mistake by singling out an individual. At Atalanta, alongside the Percassi family, we have a policy: if things go wrong, we take responsibility. We look at ourselves and focus on improvement,” Pagliuca stated.
Arsenal and Liverpool made initial inquiries about Lookman last summer but never followed up with concrete offers. It remains to be seen if either club will rekindle their interest in the talented forward.
Lookman was close to leaving Atalanta last summer after reaching a verbal agreement with PSG. However, the French club failed to finalise a deal and has since shifted its focus elsewhere, securing the signing of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia from Napoli in January.
Juventus showed interest in Lookman, but Atalanta refused to sell their star player to a Serie A rival.
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