If the reports from Mundo Deportivo and Corriere dello Sport are believed to be true, Barcelona have identified Ademola Lookman as one of their summer targets. The Atalanta winger is the latest name in the Catalans’ shortlist alongside Athletic Club sensation Nico Williams, Liverpool veteran Luis Diaz and Rafael Leao of AC Milan.
The 27-year-old England-born Nigerian international spent his youth years with Waterloo and Charlton Athletic before breaking into the latter’s first-team squad in the Championship. He eventually joined Everton in January 2017 but struggled for first-team minutes at Goodison Park.
Lookman was loaned out to RB Leipzig who eventually roped him on permanent terms after an impressive stint. Meanwhile, he failed to replicate a similar show and the German giants sanctioned back-to-back season-long loans to Fulham and Leicester City for regular football.
His flair for the Foxes led to a €15m transfer to Atalanta – a move that saw him flourish stupendously under Gian Piero Gasperini. So far he has netted 50 times and laid on 22 more in 110 appearances [stats via Transfermarket] for La Dea across competitions and was pivotal to their UEFA Europa League triumph last season. Lookman was linked to a summer switch to Paris St-Germain for a fee in the region of €40m, and the Serie A side could demand around €30m in the upcoming window considering his current deal with Gli Orobici is set to expire in 2026.
Why It Will Be A Straightforward Deal For Barcelona
The former England youth international, who switched his allegiance to the Super Eagles in 2022, was recently engaged in a spat with Gasperini. The gaffer labelled him as “one of the worst penalty takers” after his miss from the spot during Atalanta’s 3-1 Champions League defeat to Club Brugge, which triggered Lookman to release a statement citing the comments as ‘deeply disrespectful’. Despite the manager softening his words in a follow-up interview, the 2024 African Footballer of the Year is still expected to part ways in the summer for his next career move.
Barcelona are flying high under Hansi Flick who has revitalized the Blaugrana by relying on several La Masia prodigies. Although Raphinha and Lamine Yamal are in blistering form down the flanks, the club would look to add experience to challenge and cover the first-team pair alongside Ferran Torres and Pau Victor. Lookman has not only been effective from the wing but also impressed as a ‘False 9’ or second striker. His flair, flashy skills and flexibility across the frontline could further boost the La Liga leaders.
