Ademola Lookman: Arsenal, Barcelona and 2 Other Clubs Super Eagles Star Can Join
- Ademola Lookman officially handed in a transfer request after Atalanta blocked his move to Inter Milan
- The Italian Serie A giants submitted a proposal worth €45 million, which the Bergamo-based club rejected
- The 2024 UEFA Europa League winners claimed they have a pact not to sell him to a fellow Italian club
Ademola Lookman officially submitted a transfer request to Atalanta in a bid to force a move away from the club after the club blocked his proposed move to Inter Milan.
Lookman is attempting to leave the club for the second consecutive summer after the club denied him a move to Paris Saint-Germain in August 2024.
Source: Getty Images
The reigning African Footballer of the Year skipped training today, and the club president clarified the agreement between the two parties regarding the sale of the player.
According to Football Italia, Luca Percassi confirmed that the player can leave the club, but not to another Italian club, as verbally agreed last summer.
The Super Eagles star also brought down all Atalanta-related posts on his Instagram page, sending a clear message of his intent to leave the club.
Legit.ng looks at the four clubs that could sign the Nigerian attacker.
4 clubs Ademola Lookman could join
1. Atletico Madrid
Spanish giants Atletico Madrid have expressed interest in signing Lookman during this window. Los Rojiblancos are the most concrete destination for the attacker after Atalanta made it clear he would not join another Italian club.
According to Sempre Inter, Atletico’s interest faded after Lookman preferred a move to Milan. The Spanish club could return to the table if an opportunity arises.
2. Arsenal
Arsenal showed interest in the Super Eagles star last month as one of their options for their left wing. The Gunners also considered Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze, and Mikel Arteta reportedly favours the England international.
Palace want Eze’s £68 million release clause, and with Lookman a cheaper alternative, the Gunners could return with an opportunity in the market.
3. Liverpool
The Premier League champions are one of the clubs linked to the Atalanta forward, but have not made a concrete move despite having a busy summer window.
Liverpool could pounce on an opportunity to sign Lookman this summer after selling Colombian winger Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich for €75 million.
Source: Getty Images
4. Barcelona
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has reportedly recommended the CAF Best Player to the club's sporting director, Deco, as a potential signing, but nothing advanced has happened.
The La Liga champions signed Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford on loan and are unlikely to move for another left-winger, but the window is still open, and clubs take advantage of opportunities.
Juventus and Napoli were the other clubs interested, but Atalanta’s insistence on not dealing with a Serie A club ruled them out.
Nigerian journalist Ero Osaze Samson believes the Premier League would be a good fit for Ademola Lookman. He admitted that Lookman's decision of not bending to Atalanta’s wish is a respectable one.
“The Premier League would have been an ideal move for Lookman, but I respect him standing his ground against being sold to where he does not want to go,” he told Legit.ng.
“Napoli tried the same with Victor Osimhen when they preferred to sell him to Saudi Arabia over other targets against his wish.”
Atalanta fans slam Ademola Lookman
Legit.ng reported that Atalanta fans slammed Lookman after the Nigerian forward published a statement on social media expressing his intention to leave.
The fans unveiled a banner at the club's training ground, labelling the player as ungrateful and asking him to show respect to the fans who have supported him.
Proofreading by Omoleye Omoruyi, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
