Ademola Lookman is reportedly ready to leave Atalanta in the summer transfer window with Juventus and Napoli interested, but La Dea’s asking price is around €60m.
Nigeria star Lookman is destined to leave Atalanta at the end of the current campaign.
Calciomercato.com claimed that La Dea and their striker have made a final decision, which will see the Nigeria international leave the Gewiss Stadium in the summer.
The outlet further confirmed Juventus’ interest in Lookman, saying that the Bianconeri director, Cristiano Giuntoli, met his Atalanta counterpart, Tony D’Amico, during the January transfer window to discuss a potential deal.
According to the report, Napoli are also interested in the Atalanta star, but it’s possible that some Premier League clubs will also join the race in the coming weeks.
Lookman has scored 18 goals and provided seven assists in 34 appearances across all competitions this season.
His contract formally expires in June 2026, even though Atalanta have an option to extend it for a further campaign.
Atalanta have reportedly put a €60m price tag on Ademola Lookman following interests from a horde of European willing to secure the signature of the African Footballer of the Year in the summer.
The Old Lady of Italian football, Juventus, have already been linked to the Nigeria International striker ahead of the summer transfer window with doubts over Bianconeri target in Victor Osimhen, who according to several Italian media outfits, remains in contact with Manchester United.
According to Football Italia, Juventus are looking to revitalise their attacking department during the off-season, and have been linked with a series of moves for a number of different centre-forwards. Recent reports in Italy claimed that Osimhen is the ‘dream’ option for the Bianconeri, but his current situation does not make negotiations easy.
Osimhen is still on loan with Galatasaray from Napoli, but is expected to return to Italy and then be sold on in the summer transfer window. He has a release clause worth €70m in his contract, which is only valid for clubs outside Italy, which means that Juventus would likely have to pay a premium to acquire his services.
His salary of around €10m per season makes him one of the best-paid players in the division, which also puts Juventus off according to reports from Tuttosport.
Even yesterday, Tuttosport further claimed that Napoli remain in contact with Manchester United over a possible Osimhen sale as part of a player-plus-cash exchange in order to bring Danish Striker Rasmus Hojlund to the Stadio Maradona.
With links between Juventus and Osimhen cool off, it was gathered that Juventus are now interested in Atalanta’s Lookman.
With plenty of interest in Lookman in Serie A and the Premier League, Atalanta will reportedly set the asking price at around €60m for Lookman this summer. Coincidentally, Napoli are also among the interested parties.
Lookman who joined Atalanta in 2022 on a four-year contract for a reported fee of €15 million from Leicester, has been in a rich vein of form in the on-going campaign and has scored an impressive 13 goals in 25 Serie A matches.
Elsewhere, Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli has reportedly begun serious moves to acquire Lookman as the Jeddah –based side seeks to strengthen the team’s attack by signing a player ‘known for his speed and decisiveness inside the penalty area’.
Words are rife that the Italian club may agree to Let Lookman leave if a financial offer meets their expectations. Lookman has caught attention with his performance at Atalanta and is considered one of the standout names in Serie A this season.
The opportunity is strong, and Al Ahli is racing against time to finalize the deal before facing competition from European leagues.
Super Eagles and Atalanta sensation, Ademola Lookman emerged winner of the Striker of the Year and King of the Pitch at the awards’ 11th presentation Ceremony held on Tuesday.
The ceremony, held after the World Cup Qualifier between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Warriors of Zimbabwe at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State also witnessed the crowning of Rasheedat Ajibade, Super Falcons and Atlético Madrid Femenino forward as Queen of the Pitch.
While welcoming guests and awardees, Shina Philips, President of the Nigeria Pitch Awards reiterated organizers’ determination to sustain the core values and tempo of the awards. He pledged that organizers will continue to demonstrate faith in our footballers and administrators by hosting the annual event notwithstanding the challenges encountered while doing so. He called on Nigerians to continue to support the Super Eagles and other national teams.
In the Goalkeeper’s category, Chippa United goal stopper, Stanley Nwabali beat Udinese’s Maduka Okoye and Remo Stars’ Kayode Bankole to win the prize. Super Eagles Captain, William Troost-Ekong starved off competition from fellow teammates Ola Aina of Nottingham Forest and Calvin Bassey of Fulham to emerge Defender of the Year for the fourth time.
In the Midfielder of the Year category, Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi and Augsburg’s Frank Onyema could not stop Alex Iwobi of Fulham who appears to be in the form of his life. Iwobi has now won it for the third time.
The Sam Okwaraji Award for commitment to Nigeria Football has been one of the high points of previous Awards Ceremonies. Hon. Kunle Soname emerged winner for the second time having outscored Nigerian Ex-international, Segun Odegbami and former Super Eagles Captain, Ahmed Musa.
Telecom giant, MTN retained the Corporate Sponsor of Football award as Rangers International Coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu won the Coach of the Year award. Rangers International carted home the Team of the Year award.
In the media category, Samuel Ahmadu of Savid News emerged winner of the Football Journalist of the Year – Online. Other winners are Charles Diya of New Telegraph Newspapers who was named Football Journalist of the Year – Print, Cecilia Omorogbe of Channels TV won the Football Journalist of the Year – TV and Tony Bekederemo of Brila Sports Radio was voted winner of the Football Journalist of the Year – Radio.
FULL LIST OF WINNERS
King of the Pitch
Ademola Lookman – Atalanta
Queen of the Pitch
Rasheedat Ajibade – Atlético Madrid Femenino
Goalkeeper of the Year
Stanley Nwabali – Chippa United
Defender of the Year
William Troost-Ekong – Al-Kholood
Midfielder of the Year
Alex Iwobi – Fulham FC
Striker of the Year
Ademola Lookman – Atalanta
Team of the Year
Rangers International
Coach of the Year
Fidelis Ilechukwu – Rangers International
Sam Okwaraji Award
Hon. Kunle Soname – Bet9ja
State with the Best Grassroots Football Development Programme
Serie A leaders Inter Milan face third-placed Atalanta in a mouth-watering clash on Sunday with only three points separating them with 10 rounds of matches remaining in the title race.
Inter have 61 points and lead by a point from 2023 champions Napoli, who visit second-bottom outfit Venezia, with Simone Inzaghi’s side needing a win to guarantee keeping top spot.
Inter have been flying in the Champions League, reaching the quarter-finals where they play Bayern Munich, but they have won only three of their last seven Serie A games, losing two.
They had suffered only one league defeat prior to that this season, which was at home to AC Milan in late September.
However, a 2-1 win over visiting Feyenoord in the last 16 of the Champions League on Tuesday, which secured a 4-1 aggregate victory, should inspire confidence.
Inter were given a real scare by bottom club Monza before coming back to win 3-2 at the San Siro last weekend and have not won consecutive league games in nearly two months.
“It’s true that the numbers in the Champions League are different to the league,” said Inzaghi after completing his 200th game as Inter coach on Tuesday.
“But we’re in the mix in all competitions, happily so.”
Inter face Milan in the two-legged Coppa Italia semi-finals.
Atalanta exited the Champions League and Italian Cup last month and can focus on the prospect of a first Serie A title.
Inter and Atalanta are the league’s top scorers with 63 goals each, while Atalanta have conceded 26 to Inter’s 27.
But Gian Piero Gasperini’s Bergamo-based side complete with African Footballer of the Year, Ademola Lookman, have also struggled to regain momentum in the title race of late.
Atalanta have won only four of their last 11 Serie A outings, after an impressive streak of 11 wins between October and December, the longest in the club’s history.
Napoli’s trip to Venezia earlier on Sunday follows a 2-1 home win over Fiorentina that ended a five-game winless run.
They can move top with a victory and would stay there if Inter fail to bring three points back from Bergamo.
Draw specialists Juventus, who like Atalanta only have Serie A to concentrate on, have gradually worked their way up the standings into fourth spot on 52 points.
They were stunned 4-0 at home by Atalanta last weekend but can take encouragement from a five-game winning run before that defeat when they travel to eighth-placed Fiorentina on Sunday.
Juve need a win to stay ahead in the race for a top-four finish, with Lazio chasing them in fifth one point back.
Arsenal could still look to sign Atalanta star Ademola Lookman in the summer transfer window, according to reports.
With the Gunners wanting to add versatility to their front line – and it’s been claimed that the north London club are ‘particularly keen’ on securing his signature in the off-season to boost strength in depth in attack.
Lookman has been playing both up front and out wide for the Serie A outfit, making him an ideal target for Mikel Arteta to sign, given that the amount of injuries the Gunners have suffered to their forward ranks this season has forced them to play Mikel Merino up front, alongside utilising young midfielder Ethan Nwaneri on the right flank.
The report by TEAMtalk noted that Lookman is expected to leave Atalanta this summer, and that he’s open to a return to the Premier League after being linked to Arsenal – with the Gunners thought to be especially keen on securing his services, with Andrea Berta close to being appointed as sporting director.
Clubs across Europe have made their interest in the London-born winger clear after another fine season in Bergamo, in which he has registered 18 goals and seven assists in just 31 games for the Nerazzurri this season. Juventus and Barcelona are two of the clubs that have been named as having an interest in the winger, who has been called ‘world-class’ by Italian journalist Matteo Bonetti.
However, despite Lookman having performed exceptionally for the Lombardy-based outfit over the weekend, he’s still unsure about a stay at Atalanta following his row with Gian Piero Gasperini last month after the coach told Lookman he was ‘one of the worst’ penalty takers he has ever seen.
And that has seen TEAMtalk sources state that it’s increasingly likely that Lookman will pursue a new challenge in the summer – and he would be extremely interested in returning to London, having progressed through Charlton Athletic’s academy before spending the 2020/21 campaign on loan at Fulham.
Arsenal have shortlisted Lookman as a potential option for the summer, though he isn’t their number one target in the wide areas – but he is still one to watch for the summer transfer window, with developments on his future being expected in the coming weeks and months of the campaign after being touted to move for a fee that could head north of £50million.
Coach Gian Piero Gasperini has seemingly waved the olive branch, saying ‘the war is over’ between him and Ademola Lookman after the Nigerian ace striker delivered another inspiring performance in Atalanta’s 4-0 crushing of Juventus on Sunday night.
Both had sensational fell-out last month after Gasperini described Lookman ‘one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen’ as Atalanta crashed out of the Champions League to Club Brugge while the African Footballer of the Year hit back describing the Italian manager’s comments about his penalty taking abilities ‘deeply disrespectful’.
But Gasperini made sure that the rumours of a fall-out between himself and Lookman were put to bed with a gesture and short message for the Nigeria international after his goal and subsequent substitution during Sunday’s 4-0 victory over Juventus.
“Can I give you a hug, can you give me a nice smile?” Gasperini reportedly told Lookman.
Yet according to multiple Italian outlets, Gasperini has been forthcoming with his reconciliatory message even as he praised Lookman’s devotion to La Dea.
“People can have different visions, and that’s an example. He (Lookman) has become a fantastic player when he has started thinking about the team,” the 67-year-old Gasperini stated. “ He used to operate more on an individual level. We had some arguments, but always make up because he’s extraordinary.”
The former Inter Milan coach continued: “He made Atalanta great, and we made him great. I’m convinced he’ll be able to wear the captain’s armband before the end of the season, so this team will be tattooed on his skin. It would be a great gesture.
“It has been given to players who weren’t better but are more attached to our city and believe that these values are important and can strengthen you. We spend 300 days together. It’s important to backtrack. “
Lookman has notched an impressive 25 goal from 31 matches in all competitions in the on-going campaign, including five goals and two assists from seven Champions League matches and 13 goals and five assists from 22 Serie A matches.
Coach Gian Piero Gasperini has downplayed the seeming tension with Ademola Lookman after he praised the Nigeria international for his impressive brace in Atalanta’s 5-0 demolition of Empoli on Sunday.
Atalanta’s crucial win closed the gap on Serie A league leaders Inter Milan to just three points and Gasperini noted that Lookman has always played a significant role for La Dea.
Despite recent tensions following Champions League loss to Club Brugge last week , Lookman remains in fine form for Atalanta, winning the man of the match award and scoring his 17th goal of the season in all competitions.
He has now equalled his total tally from last season even with 12 Serie A matches still to play.
“Lookman has always scored a lot of goals, at least since he joined Atalanta,” Gasperini noted in his post-match press conference. “He has become an extraordinary player, especially when he puts himself at the disposal of the team. He said that he feels a bond with the fans, and I appreciate that very much.”
Though Lookman refused to shake hands with Gasperini after he was substituted in the 76th minute, the Italian tactician downplayed the issue, asserting that they are all professionals.
“I don’t know what you mean by professionalism, but it’s the best way to move forward. Professionalism on my part? We’re all professionals, we had a good match and scored good goals,” he said.
Lookman’s impressive form has made him one of the most sought-after players in the Serie A this season and will expectedly attract interest from top European clubs in the summer transfer window .
Nevertheless, Lookman will be focused on helping the Italian side push for the Serie A title and with just three points separating them from Inter Milan, Atalanta are well-placed to mount a title push as the season enters its final stretch.
Lookman will be hoping to emulate the achievement of Victor Osimhen, who led Napoli to their first Serie A title since 1990.
Super Eagles’ striker Ademola Lookman responded with aplomb after last week’s penalty row with coach Gian Piero Gasperini by grabbing a brace in Atalanta 5-0 romp at lowly Empoli in the Italian Serie A match yesterday.
Atalanta were still smarting from not only the Champions League play-off defeat to Club Brugge, but also the fallout from Lookman’s missed penalty and the vicious Gasperini criticism.
But Lookman who returned to the starting XI for the first time since his injury in late January, was the star of the La Dea orchestra.
With Napoli suffering a surprise 2-1 loss at Como earlier yesterday and Inter losing twice in four matches, Atalanta had the chance to keep the pressure on and dominated from the start.
The visitors broke the deadlock in the 27th minute with an own goal after Davide Zappacosta delivered a cross from the edge of the box which deflected off Empoli striker Emmanuel Gyasi and looped into the corner of the net.
Atalanta then began to dominate the match with Mateo Retegui doubling the lead six minutes later before Lookman made it 3-0 in the 43rd when he latched onto a through ball, deftly rounded goalkeeper Marco Silvestri and put the ball into the empty net.
Ten minutes after the break Lookman got his second, latching onto a through ball from Marten de Roon, evading the offside trap and firing an angled shot past the keeper after a step-over. Zappacosta completed the rout in the 74th minute.
Lookman’s stand-out performer in Atalanta’s dominant victory showed the right response following his recent spat with Gasperini, who said the Nigeria striker was one of the worst penalty takers he had ever seen after he missed one against Brugge.
Gasperini later downplayed the comment saying he never intended to offend the 27-year-old, who also scored against the Belgian side after coming on at halftime.
Meanwhile, Lookman refused to answer when pressed if his row with Atalanta Gasperini is in the past
“The team won 5-0 today, we put in a good performance, everyone was at a high level and we showed quality,” Lookman told DAZN. “We take every game as they come. We played well today, we have to continue this way and prepare for the next.”
Asked by Sky Sport Italia if the row with Gasperini was in the past, Lookman refused to answer. He simply shrugged, looked around and eventually replied: “Finished?”
When he was substituted, the Nigeria international notably shook hands with assistant manager Tullio Gritti, but not the head coach.
Striker Ademola Lookman is expected to be in the fray of action today as Atalanta tackle Club Brugge in the second leg of the Champions League knockout playoff.
The Nigeria’s international has missed the last six games across all competitions with knee problems but words are rife yesterday that the La Dea’s talismanic scorer would have a part to play in today’s decider against the visiting Belgian side, complete with Super Eagles midfielder, Raphael Onyedika.
The Nerazzurri suffered a 2-1 defeat in the first leg last week, so they must win handsomely today to progress to the Round of 16.
According to the authoritative Italian Pink Paper La Gazzetta dello Sport and local newspaper Prima Bergamo, Lookman will likely be available for today’s Champions League duel at the Gewiss Stadium, after he reportedly trained on Sunday and Monday along with another injured returning, Sead Kolasinac, with the rest of his teammates.
Eco di Bergamo correspondent Giulia Mazzoleni reported (via Football Italia) that both players were spotted on the pitch for a training session at Atalanta’s training ground on Monday afternoon.
The return of Lookman would be a big boost for coach Gian Piero Gasperini who lamented after a late penalty earned the Belgians a 2-1 win in the first leg.
“It will now be a feat, you have to win 2-0 against a good team,” Gasperini admitted. “We will have to expose ourselves a lot more, otherwise they will have half an hour of possession with the goalkeeper.
“ It will be difficult to win by two goals,” he noted.
Lookman has made 27 appearances for Atalanta this term, scoring 14 goals and providing seven assists. He has netted 10 goals in 19 Serie A matches and it remains to be seen if will get his scoring momentum should he be fielded against Club Brugge today.
Former Premier League champions Manchester United could push for deals for Super Eagles forwards Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen in the summer.
Manchester United have had a torrid campaign. They started the season with Dutch tactician Erik Ten Hag in charge. However, he was sacked in October after a run of poor results.
They then appointed Ruben Amorim last November. The Portuguese tactician had impressed greatly at Sporting CP and led them to multiple titles in over four years.
However, since his arrival, the Red Devils’ struggles have continued. The former Premier League champions have won ten games, lost eight, and drawn two.
Some Manchester United players have failed to impress. Forwards Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund have not performed well, and the defense has been poor on many occasions.
There have been talks about the Red Devils going shopping in the summer, with Amorim targeting some key positions.
According to MUFCMPB, Amorim wants to sign a striker and a supporting striker next summer. This could result in them moving for Lookman and Osimhen in the summer.
The Red Devils have been heavily linked with Osimhen in recent weeks, and they could push for the deal at the end of the season. However, Amorim worked with Viktor Gyokeres at Sporting, and he could try to lure the Swedish striker to Manchester.
Meanwhile, Lookman is another top candidate for Manchester United. Aside from his impressive record, he is also versatile as he can play wide or behind the striker.
Moreover, an incentive for Manchester United is that Lookman and Osimhen already have chemistry as they have played together at the international level.
Manchester United are not at their richest level, but they should be able to get Osimhen and Lookman in the summer. Napoli , according to Soccernet.ng reports, want €80 million to let their hot Nigerian star leave, while Atalanta could demand up to €60 million.
