- Newcastle and Manchester United are both eyeing a summer move for Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman
- With previous Premier League experience at Everton and Fulham, Lookman could be set for a return to England
- Ademola Lookman has scored 49 goals for Atalanta since he arrived in August 2022
Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman’s future is set to grab headlines ahead of the summer transfer window, with Newcastle United and Manchester United among the clubs keen to secure his signature.
The Atalanta forward has become a hot prospect, and his recent performances have only intensified interest from European giants.
Lookman, 27, recently found himself in the spotlight after his manager, Gian Piero Gasperini, controversially criticised his penalty-taking abilities.
Following a crucial miss in a Champions League clash against Club Brugge, Gasperini publicly labelled Lookman “one of the worst penalty takers,” sparking outrage. In response, Lookman took to social media, calling his manager’s comments “deeply disrespectful” and emphasising his total commitment to Atalanta and its supporters.
However, Lookman silenced his critics in style, delivering a stunning brace against Empoli over the weekend. That performance added to his already impressive record at Atalanta, where he has netted 49 goals in 107 matches.
His crowning moment came last season when he scored a historic hat-trick in the Europa League final, guiding Atalanta to their first European title. His heroics earned him a nomination for the Ballon d’Or, proving his global reputation.
Amidst the ongoing friction with coach Gasperini, Atalanta has placed a €65m (£53.8m, $68m) price tag on the Nigerian international. Newcastle have reportedly sent scouts to monitor Lookman’s recent displays and are said to hold "strong interest" in bringing him back to England.
Meanwhile, Manchester United are also in the race, with three other European powerhouses keeping a close watch on his situation.
For Newcastle, Lookman’s ability to play across the front line is a major attraction. While the Magpies are in the market for a right-winger to compete with Jacob Murphy, Lookman’s versatility also allows him to operate on either flank or as a central forward, making him an ideal attacking option.
Atalanta are aware of the rising demand for Lookman, having already fielded inquiries from top European clubs in both the summer and winter transfer windows. While his next destination remains uncertain, the competition for his signature shows that Lookman will be one of the most sought-after players in the upcoming window.
With previous Premier League experience at Everton and Fulham, Lookman could be primed for a return to English football. Whether it’s Newcastle, Manchester United, or another European giant that wins the race, his future promises to be one of the biggest talking points of the summer.
Lookman’s strike not enough as Real Madrid edges Atalanta, Ancelotti praises team
Previously, TheRadar reported that Spanish giants Real Madrid reignited their UEFA Champions League campaign hopes with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Ademola Lookman’s Atalanta, overcoming an early injury to star forward Kylian Mbappé.
Lookman’s creativity nearly earned Atalanta a dramatic equaliser in injury time, but substitute Mateo Retegui squandered the golden opportunity, blasting over from six yards out.
