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Ademola Lookman

Just months after completion of a celebrated winter transfer to the Spanish capital, Atletico Madrid reportedly want to sell Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman.

The brief marriage between Lookman’s vibrant offensive flair and Diego Simeone’s famously rigid defensive architecture appears fractured.

The Spanish club acquired the 28-year-old from Atalanta in February for an initial fee of 35 million euros plus add-ons.

At that time, he signed a contract valid until 2030. Yet, change has already arrived at the Metropolitano Stadium.

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Reports from Spanish and Turkish outlets, such as Fotospor, indicate Los Rojiblancos will sanction his departure this summer for a premium fee of about 60 million euros.

The Nigerian international left his mark with four La Liga goals, alongside crucial strikes in the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Champions League.

However, he reportedly struggles to harmonize with Simeone’s strict defensive rhythm. Consequently, the Argentine tactician blessed the decision to review lucrative offers to facilitate a comprehensive reconstruction of the squad.

This sudden availability commands attention from several Premier League giants. Arsenal monitors the situation closely, as manager Mikel Arteta admires Lookman’s seamless versatility across the offensive frontline.

Liverpool tracked the forward extensively throughout his Italian renaissance. They view his electric pace and intense defensive pressure as a perfect match for their tactical machinery.

Manchester United also observe the developments with a watchful eye, driven by an urgent hunger for consistent output from their wide areas.

The chase extends far beyond English shores. Turkish heavyweights Fenerbahce prepare to resurrect their pursuit.

They narrowly missed his signature prior to his January switch to Spain. Paris Saint-Germain also remain present in the background. Back in Italy, Lookman famously painted a masterpiece with a Europa League final hat-trick and tallied 55 goals for Atalanta.

Now, Inter Milan and Juventus continue to show interest. However, the financial realities of the transfer could prove too steep a mountain for the Serie A suitors to conquer.

They would need to match Atletico’s hefty valuation and the player’s reported net salary of 6 million euros per season.

Before his triumphant continental exploits in Bergamo, Lookman honed his craft on English soil. He built his career with stints at Charlton Athletic, Everton, Fulham, and Leicester City.