Ademola Lookman: Premier League Clubs Given Boost as Atalanta Make Decision
Premier League clubs have received a big boost in their pursuit of Ademola Lookman this summer, as Atalanta would prefer to sell him to a club outside Italy.
The Nigerian forward, who scored a hat-trick in last season’s Europa League final, is ready to take on a new challenge at the end of this season.
Atalanta’s manager, Gian Piero Gasperini, recently criticised Lookman, calling him one of the “worst penalty takers” he’s “ever seen” after Lookman missed a penalty in a surprising 3-1 Champions League loss to Club Brugge. However, Atalanta co-owner Stephen Pagliuca defended Lookman, saying Gasperini’s comments were unfair. Pagliuca added that at Atalanta, they take responsibility when things go wrong, and they focus on improving as a team.
Lookman, who has played for Everton, Fulham, and Leicester, nearly left Atalanta last summer after agreeing on personal terms with PSG. However, PSG couldn’t finalise the deal and have since cooled their interest after signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia from Napoli in January. Juventus are also interested in him, but Atalanta are reluctant to sell to a direct rival, especially after selling key midfielder Teun Koopmeiners to Juventus last summer.
Arsenal and Liverpool both showed interest in Lookman last summer but did not follow up. It remains to be seen if they will consider him again. The 27-year-old could cost over £50 million, according to reports from Italy.
Lookman, who was named CAF African Footballer of the Year in December, has a contract with Atalanta that runs until the summer of 2026, which is why they are eager to sell him now.
