Premier League teams, including Liverpool and Arsenal, have received a major lift in their quest to snap up Ademola Lookman, given Atalanta’s preference for an overseas sale.
The Nigerian forward, who notched three goals in the previous season’s Europa League showpiece, is ready for a fresh challenge when the campaign concludes. His future became a talking point following Atalanta gaffer Gian Piero Gasperini’s critical remarks about his penalty abilities, dubbing Lookman as one of the “worst penalty takers” he had witnessed, after a costly miss in a 3-1 Champions League playoff loss to Club Brugge.
Yet Atalanta’s co-owner, Stephen Pagliuca, has backed Lookman amid the dispute, suggesting that Gasperini was somewhat harsh with his critique. Pagliuca said: “He made a mistake by speaking about an individual. At Atalanta, with the Percassi family, we have a policy: if things go wrong, we take responsibility. We look at ourselves and how to improve.”
The former Everton, Fulham, and Leicester winger nearly left Atalanta last summer when he verbally agreed terms with Paris Saint-Germain. But a deal didn’t materialize, and with PSG’s acquisition of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia from Napoli this January, the French team’s interest appears to have waned.
Juventus is believed to be an admirer of Lookman; however, Atalanta is wary of strengthening a formidable league adversary, especially considering the anguish caused by selling adored Teun Koopmeiners to them previously – and now Atalanta finds itself vying with Juventus for a coveted spot in the Champions League.
Last summer, both Arsenal and Liverpool showed initial interest in Lookman but didn’t pursue it further. It’s unclear whether either club will revisit this option. However, Lookman’s availability has put several Premier League clubs on high alert. According to Italian reports, he’s expected to fetch a price north of £50 million ($62.9 million)
Given that the forward will turn 28 later this year, there are doubts about any European club willing to meet that valuation. In December, Lookman was honoured as the CAF African Footballer of the Year. His contract with Atalanta is set to run out in the summer of 2026, which explains the team’s eagerness to sell him.
