Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman is keen on a move to Arsenal as the Gunners have reopened transfer talks with Atalanta over a potential summer swoop for the Nigeria international.
The current African Footballer of the Year is eager for a return to the Premier League following previous spells with Everton, Fulham, and Leicester City, with Arsenal emerging as frontrunners for his signature.
According to Caughtoffside, Arsenal have begun negotiations with the Bergamo-based outfit over the possibility of bringing the 26-year-old winger to the Emirates Stadium, with the asking price set between £38-42m.The North London club have made concrete contact with Lookman as they seek to address their long-standing issues in the final third, having opened talks with the Atalanta star.
Arsenal are expected to have a significant summer transfer window, desperately needing reinforcements to help their push for silverware next season. Whilst the Gunners have boasted one of the best defences in Europe for the past two seasons, conceding the fewest goals in the Premier League over that period, their attack has been their Achilles’ heel.
Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, and Leandro Trossard are capable players, but they have shown that they lack the quality to take Arsenal to the next level. The club particularly lacks a top striker and an elite left winger, positions that their competitors have filled with world-class talent.
Lookman has proven to be one of the top wingers in Europe over the last two years, combining pace, skill, and clinical finishing. The Nigeria international has been the main man in Atalanta’s attack, contributing 52 goals and 25 assists in 118 appearances across all competitions since joining the Italian club.
His crowning moment came in May 2024, when he scored a stunning hat-trick in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen to secure Atalanta’s first-ever European title. He remains the only player to score a hat-trick in a Europa League final.
Arsenal have been actively working to reinforce their attack, particularly the left-wing position, and have been linked with several options in recent days, including Real Madrid’s Rodrygo and Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze.
However, Lookman is keen to leave Bergamo this summer, with Atalanta looking to cash in on him as he has two years remaining on his contract. The Italian club are reportedly demanding €60m for their star winger.
Arsenal face stiff competition for Lookman’s signature, with the forward being monitored by Juventus, Napoli, Manchester United, Liverpool and Barcelona. However, it is expected that he would prefer a return to England, where he started his career and has close friends and family.
