Nigerian winger Ademola Lookman could be set for an exit from Italian Serie A outfit Atalanta in the January transfer window, with Spanish powerhouse Atletico Madrid renewing their interest in his signature.
The Super Eagles forward has become one of the best attackers in the world since moving to the Bergamo-based club in 2022 and guided them to victory in the 2024 Europa League final, netting a remarkable in the 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen. The win ended their 61-year trophy drought and marked a first-ever European trophy in the club’s history.
The reigning African footballer of the year award winner looked set to leave La Dea in the summer following interest from Inter Milan, but the move failed to materialize as Atalanta were unwilling to sell to a rival team and little differences in their valuation
The 28-year-old handed in a transfer request and was unavailable for the club’s first few matches of the 2025-26 campaign, before he was recalled to the squad in September. However, with just over a month until January, Atletico Madrid are frontrunners to land the star forward.
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How much will Lookman cost Atalanta?
Ademola Lookman’s current market value is about €40 million, making him the most valuable Nigerian player in the Italian Serie A and the second-most valuable Atalanta player.
However, it will take a transfer fee worth more than €50 million to prize the winger away from La Dea in January.
Per Capology, the Super Eagles forward currently earns about €55,577 per week and about €2.89 million annually. The total investment in his signature could exceed €60 million, depending on the length of the contract.
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How will Lookman fit in at Atletico Madrid?
Ademola Lookman thrives in a counterattacking system due to his pace and excellent dribbling skills, making him an ideal fit for Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid side, who are well known for their defensive pattern and quick transition style of play.
The 28-year-old can also deputize in the right wing role and as the centre forward, while his potential partnership with Argentine forward Julian Alvarez could be an exciting one to watch.
