Tag: Lookman

Fenerbache have moved ahead of bitter local rivals Galatasaray in the race to sign Ademola Lookman.

According to a report by leading Turkish newspaper Sabah, Fenerbache are closely following Ademola Lookman, whose name is frequently linked with Galatasaray.

Fenerbahçe have contacted Atalanta and held initial talks regarding the Nigerian star’s transfer. These initial discussions were positive.

Efforts to acquire Lookman, whose contract with the Italian club expires in June 2027, will now intensify.

A loan deal for the 28-year-old player, also wanted by Galatasaray, has been discussed.

Read Also: NFF Management, Staff stage walk against corruption

Reports in the Italian press suggest that Fenerbahçe are investigating Lookman’s situation and have made contact in Italy.

It is also claimed that the player’s side is positive about the move.

Currently with the Super Eagles at the AFCON in Morocco, the experienced footballer is expected to continue contact after the tournament.

Lookman, who can play on both the left and right wings, as well as in the striker and attacking midfield roles, is reportedly keen to join a new team with Fenerbahçe expected to accelerate their efforts.

Ahead of Nigeria’s  opening match at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 against Tanzania tomorrow in Fes, the Super Eagles’ duo of  Atalanta  forward Ademola Lookman and  Pisa midfielder Ebenezer  Akinsanmiro have been listed among the top five Serie A layers to hit  the limelight at the continental showpiece.

Of all the leagues most affected by the month-long continental  tournament, Serie A is tied sixth, with a total of 21 players heading south-west from Italy to North Africa.

But according to a major Italian news outlet, both the 2024 African Footballer of the  Year, Lookman and newly drafted Akinsanmiro, are just five  “of the best that could play a promising role at 2025’s showpiece”.

 Aside  the two Nigerians, the other three players also picked are  AS Roma’s duo of  Morocco’s Neil El Aynaoui  and Ivorian  Evan Ndicka, while who plays  for Roma  as well as Ivorian Odilon Kossounou  who is currently with Lookman at Atalanta.

Akinsanmiro, the 21-year-old Inter loanee is  being tipped as  “a valuable reinjection of confidence” into the Super Eagles  who are desirous  to  claim a long-awaited  fourth title following three previous successes in 1980, 19994 and 2013.

Read Also: Abandoned FIFA Project: Monimichelle faults NFF on funding as equipment  rot away in Ugborodo  

But of the quintent, Lookman, the 2024 African Footballer of the Year, is put on top of the  raft as the likely player  from Serie A that could have a pivotal impact at  the  continental’s flagship’s  tournament.

“Just about taking the top spot in this list is Atalanta and Nigeria star Ademola Lookman,” the editors of getfootballnewsitaly noted.  

Though Lookman  has struggled so far in 2025-26, with just two goals in 11 Serie A outings in the ongoing campaign, the outlet noted: “He could play a huge role as he links back up with Super Eagles teammates Osimhen and co, as they seek retribution for 2023’s 2-1 final defeat in Abidjan.”

“The English-born 28-year-old notched 20 goals in 40 all-competition matches in 2024-25, including 15 goals in Serie A, and five in seven Champions League matches. That premier European campaign, of course, followed the victorious Europa League run in 2023-24.

“If Lookman can tap back into the kind of form that saw him blast home a decisive hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen in Dublin’s final, then Nigeria may just add their fourth AFCON title,” the Italian outfit noted.

Genoa head coach Daniele De Rossi believes that Atalanta will miss Ademola Lookman when the sides meet in Serie A this weekend and during the AFCON, describing the Nigerian winger as a decisive presence.

Genoa host Atalanta on Sunday in a matchday 16 encounter, with the visitors travelling without Lookman, who has departed to represent Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations.

De Rossi openly admitted the Atalanta winger is the kind of player every coach wants available, regardless of form.

Read Also: Morocco 2025:  NFF launches NAIJA 4 THE WIN campaign for Super Eagles

“I confess that if I were to coach Lookman, I’d always want him on the pitch because in Serie A he can make the difference and shift the balance,” De Rossi said, as per FCInter19008.

“We’ve also seen how dangerous the other players on the bench are, but having him or not certainly changes things.”

Atalanta sit 12th with 19 points, well below expectations, whilst Genoa are 16th on 14 points, uncomfortably close to the relegation zone.

Atalanta manager Raffaelle Palladino has showered praise on Nigerian winger Ademola Lookman, describing him as one of the club’s most important assets.

Lookman has been in brilliant form recently, scoring in back-to-back games as Atalanta intensifies its charge on both domestic and European fronts.

The former African Footballer of the Year   scored his second Serie A goal in Atalanta’s 2-0 home win against Fiorentina at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo on Sunday. He also grabbed a goal in the La Dea’s 3-0 Champions League win away to Eintracht Frankfurt last week.

Speaking on the player’s resurgence, Palladino revealed that his relationship with the Super Eagles star has been built on mutual understanding and clarity.

Read Also: Rejuvenated Lookman  scores again  for  Atalanta

 “With Lookman, I did exactly what I did with the rest of the team: I spoke individually. A few words were enough because he’s an intelligent guy who understands immediately,” the coach said.

Palladino added that both he and Lookman share the same ambition of pushing Atalanta as high as possible this season.

He also highlighted the forward’s all-round contribution: “He’s having a strong offensive phase, but I emphasize his defensive commitment. He’s 100% in the game. I’m happy for his goals; he’s an essential asset.”

Lookman will aim to continue his impressive run as Atalanta targets a strong finish in Serie A and  Europe.

Super Eagles striker Ademola Lookman  is gradually  returning to his scoring best  after  securing his  second Serie A goal as Atalanta  comfortably eased past  Fiorentina in a 2-0 home win at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo.

It was the first home game for new coach Raffaele Palladino  after a defeat at Napoli and 3-0 Champions League win away to Eintracht Frankfurt  and he did it against his old club as Atalanta ended  their eight-round Serie A winless streak.

Read Also: Super Eagles: NFF  Scrap U.S. friendlies to prioritize World Cup Play-Offs

Atalanta broke the deadlock with a spectacular strike, as Odilon Kossounou swept it first-time into the far top corner from the edge of the area on a De Ketelaere lay-off, but it was probably intended as a cross from the defender. It still counts as the first Serie A goal of his career.

Lookman failed to make the most of a poor De Gea ball out from the back, drilling wide, while after the restart Kean’s header was too weak to trouble Carnesecchi on a Luca Ranieri cross.

The hosts doubled their lead when De Gea made a big reaction save from De Ketelaere’s header on a corner, but could do nothing on Lookman’s follow-up into the roof of the net.

Yesterday’s  made it two goals  in nine Serie A matches in the on-going  campaign , marking a positive turn after a turbulent summer in which a proposed move to Inter Milan fell through.

The former African Footballer of the Year made another goal in a UEFA Champions League win at Eintracht Frankfurt  last week  as the countdown to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)  is underway.

Atalanta have now risen to 11^th  position in the standings with 16 points from 13 matches.

Following his outstanding performance in Wednesday’s  3-0thrashing of Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League, Atalanta  have reportedly scrapped plans to sell Ademola Lookman in the upcoming  January Transfer Window.

Raffaele Palladino secured his first win as Atalanta manager, as his side earned a 3-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in MD5 of the Champions League.

La Dea sealed the all three points in a frantic five-minute period, as the Italian side scored three goals between the 60^th  and 65^th  minute.

Read Also: Atalanta demand  N84 billion from Gala  for Lookman

This victory saw Atalanta move up to 10^th  in the UCL table, but the main takeaway was the performance from Lookman as the Nigerian registered two goal contributions. He opened the scoring after 60 minutes and was involved in the action again just two-minutes later – providing the assist for Ederson.

According to news making the rounds in the Italian media, Lookman’s eye catching performance has   forced  Atalanta to rule out  the sale of the 28-year-old striker who is contracted  to the Serie A side until 2027.

Accordingly, coach Palladino who seems to have revived the confidence  of the  former African Footballer of the Year  after  torrid time following   his botched transfer in the summer , is said   would  soon offer him  an improved  deal to keep  him at the Bergamo-based side.

Incidentally, Lookman  would  welcome such  development following his posturing  after Wednesday’s heroics for Atalanta.

“You know, what’s happened has happened. A lot’s gone on. Some things people know, others they don’t,”  Lookman reportedly told Sky Sport Italia . “Right now is the time to work hard for the team and we need to win games, that’s the most important thing, to get stronger every day. That is what I am concentrated on and so is the team, working together every day to get results.”

 “I think it’s important right now to get the victory, as 3-0 away from home is a really good result,” Lookman added.

Atalanta are now 10^th  in the Champions League overall standings with 10 points from five matches, just two places outside the Top-8 bracket that guarantees automatic passage to the Round of 16.

Galatasaray  will have to cough €50m (about N84 billion) to prise away  Nigeria International , Ademola Lookman, from  Serie A outfit, Atalanta.

The Turkish giants which presently  housed  another Nigerian star  forward, Victor Osimhen, has  not hidden  their  interest  to sign up  the 2024 African  Footballer of the Year  in the upcoming Transfer Window in January.

But  according to the famous Italian Pink Newspaper, Gazzetta dello Sport, Atalanta will only sell the Nigerian for €50m and won’t reduce the price.

Read Also: Reps to probe alleged misuse of FIFA grants by NFF

Lookman is reportedly interested in joining his  compatriot and international teammate, Osimhen in Turkey.

The 28-year-old has struggled to make much impact at Atalanta this season after pushing to leave the Bergamo club for Inter Milan  in the summer.

He  scored 20 goals in 41 appearances last season, establishing himself as one of Europe’s best wingers, but has scored just two  goals in 12 appearances across all competitions  in the on-going campaign.

Lookman has contract with the Serie A club  until June  2027 but whether he would  move to Turkey in January remains to be seen.

Super Eagles  striker, Ademola Lookman, is back to his striking sharpness as he  grabbed  the curtain raiser  in  Atalanta’s Champions League 3-0 victory over  away to Eintracht Frankfurt last night.

Lookman  scored   Atalanta’s first foal in the 60th minute  as he lashed on to an inviting  cross from the right by De Ketelaere to finish with a sizzling  volley off the inside of the boot to the far post.

Read Also: Reps to probe alleged misuse of FIFA grants by NFF

Two minutes later, he   was the provider as he rolled  the ball across the face of the goal for

Ederson to beat the opposing  goalkeeper one-on-one.

 While Ketelaere scored the third  some three minutes later , Lookman  was in the thick of action before being substituted in the 82^nd minute.

Yesterday’s  win  was the first  for new coach   Raffaele Palladino  who suffered a 3-1 loss to Napoli on his debut with the club in the Serie A on Saturday.

Atalanta manager Raffaele Palladino has lamented his side’s missed opportunities in their 3-1 defeat to Napoli at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium on Saturday night, stressing that Ademola Lookman and the other forwards could have done better in front of goal.

Lookman, who has endured a difficult start to the season, featured for most of the encounter before being substituted in the 82^nd  minute for Daniel Maldini as Atalanta chased a late comeback.

The Nigerian forward has managed just one goal in eleven appearances across all competitions this season, and his struggles continued against Napoli.

Lookman found it difficult to break through the hosts’ compact defence, much to the frustration of Atalanta’s travelling supporters.

Read Also: Eze nets historic hat-trick as Arsenal secure 6point gap

He registered two attempts during the match, one on target and the other off target, but failed to significantly influence the game.

Speaking to  Sky Sport after the game, Palladino praised the impact of his substitutes, especially Gianluca Scamacca, who scored Atalanta’s lone goal.

“Gianluca came on with the right spirit. I also liked the other substitutes: they all brought courage and quality,” he said as quoted by Tuttoatalanta.

However, the Italian tactician did not hold back in expressing disappointment over the wasted chances by his frontline.

“I have a strong forward lineup: Scamacca scored today, but we also came close with De Ketelaere, Lookman, and Samardzic. I expect a lot from them: they’ve done a great job, and there’s a lot to build on.”

With the defeat compounding Atalanta’s inconsistent start to the campaign, Lookman will be eager to rediscover his form as the Bergamo side looks to spark a revival under the new manager.

Atalanta new manager Raffaele Palladino believes  he would have an excellent  relation with Ademola Lookman despite  recent transfer squabbles between the club and the Nigeria international striker. 

The coach was appointed last Tuesday and had a limited squad to work with during the break for international duty, so his presentation press conference was postponed until yesterday.

Ahead of his  big debut coming tomorrow  against Antonio Conte’s Napoli at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, in his hometown, Palladino said he had already spoken to the 2024 Africa Footballer of the Year  who was on international duty with Nigeria in the ill-fated CAF Play-Offs in Morocco .

Recall that Ademola  had  in recent months  had a torrid times with both Gian Piero Gasperini and Ivan Juric  following that botched transfer to Inter Milan, Palladino is hopeful of a better relationship  with  the Nigerian  following their recent conversations.

Read Also: Osimhen , Ajibade miss out as Morocco scoop ‘the doubles’  at CAF Awards 2025

“I phoned all the players who were away on international duty and Ademola presented himself very well to me,” Palladino reportedly said at his press conference yesterday. “I will evaluate his playing time based on what I see in his training sessions, just like all the others.”

 Speaking on his new assignment, Palladino further enthused on his new assignment , saying he was ready  for the task of rebuilding confidence in the former Europa League winner.

“I am very happy to be here with Atalanta, as it’s a great club and I will do all I can to fly the flag high. I want to thank the Percassi family, Stephen Pagliuca and Tony D’Amico for this big opportunity,” he said Palladino.

“In my first meetings with the players, I tried to focus on the intensity and DNA of Atalanta. I tried to get them to rediscover that identity made up of sacrifice and grit, which always stood this side apart.

“We don’t have much time, but we must get the maximum results,” he noted.

adding he already  has  his priority  despite the club’s poor  start in the on-going Serie A campaign.

 “Our target is European qualification. The squad is strong, the club made some great signings, and I think this team must do more. I believe in the strength of these players,” he added.