According to TuttoAtalanta, Nigerian ace Ademola Lookman is set to stay put at Atalanta after positive talks held between the parties.
The versatile attacker’s current contract with La Dea ends in June 2026. There is a lot of interest in the experienced player with Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool, Arsenal and Saudi Arabian clubs surrounding him.
The 26-year-old was missing from Atalanta’s first Serie A against Lecce amid speculations that his agent is deeply involved in talks with the French giants.
Meanwhile, Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla said the Gunners were also watching Lookman as their search for a strong No.9 continues.
Ademola Lookman is now nearing an Atalanta stay, report TuttoAtalanta. A positive meeting took place.
Details here 👇https://t.co/pS2AqFNxM7
— Get Italian Football News (@_GIFN) August 22, 2024
It was claimed that Mikel Arteta’s side wants to bring the player back to London and are ready to splash €50 million plus include Jacob Kiwior in this deal.
The Italian club’s manager Gian Piero Gaspirini values Lookman a lot and still wants him to avoid negotiations with other clubs. But he is also a fan of Kiwior and the defender’s importance has further increased due to Scalvini’s recent injury.
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The Nerrazzuri won’t come in their player’s path if any potential suitor submits an aggressive proposal before the current window ends.
But the recent rumours have put cold water on the entire transfer saga. Atalanta are progressing in talks with the African honcho and might offer him a new deal soon. There might be a slight increase in his wages after witnessing his incredible performances over the past two seasons.
HOW DID LOOKMAN BREAK INTO THE SCENE AT THE SERIE A OUTFIT?
Lookman started his early days with Charlton and his brilliant displays for England’s U17 side paved the way for his move to Everton. However, he couldn’t get much game-time before heading to RB Leipzig.
His fans believed that he might flourish in the German league and in a club that is known to develop young professionals. But he couldn’t break into the scenes and was loaned out to Fulham and Leicester City in successive seasons.
Atalanta were aware of the player’s talents and it was Gasperini who unlocked the 26-year-old’s true attacking power. From the past two seasons, Lookman has registered 32 goals and 18 assists in over 79 games (17 of these goals coming in last season). He has played as a winger, attacking midfielder and even as a No.9.
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Ademola Lookman has now been involved in 20+ goals in back-to-back seasons:
2022/23:
⚽️ 15 goals
🅰️ 6 assists2023/24:
⚽️ 13 goals
🅰️ 8 assists pic.twitter.com/OK8vTH8ZZB— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 22, 2024
His performance against Bayer Leverkusen was deemed as ‘legendary’. He scored a hattrick in the finals of the UEFA Europa League and handed Xabi Alonso’s men their first defeat of the season.
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The Orobici star has rediscovered the magic within him and the fans are enjoying every bit of it.
IS LOOKMAN AN UPGRADE TO THE CURRENT ARSENAL SQUAD?
The former England international fits into Arteta’s routine of buying players with Premier League experience. He roped in Jorginho, Declan Rice, David Raya and potential new signing Mikel Merino for the same cause.
Plus he is addicted to using players who provide more than a single dimension to the team’s game-play. The Serie A fans have seen the La Dea ace providing chances to striker Gianluca Scamacca.
He had more influence playing as a CAM, and this will surely help the Gooners while attacking deep and breaking opponents’ nasty defensive lines (as some clubs stick to their park-the-bus strategy).
This will help release the burden off Martin Ødeegard. Lookman loves to move through the flanks, with his eye for a goal and blistering pace catching defenders off guard.
He can give additional competition to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli since he is strong on both feet. Arteta is crazy about playing such multitalented players. He brought Riccardo Calafiori, Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard for their versatility.
The Atalanta ace is comfortable across the whole pitch (a style similar to Havertz). Can also contribute as a false nine and has more shots on target than Gabriel Jesus. (47% compared to the Brazilian’s 34%).
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He is strong off the ball as well and that aids Arsenal’s pressing movements. He is a complete package and not a midtable player anymore.
We can’t deny the fact that the North London side will face a tough time convincing the Italian giants to sell their prized assets. Although an attractive bid might work wonders, they need to be quick at this point.
The player is already in talks to extend his stay. If he does so, then it’s the end of this entire transfer saga.
