City join Lookman chase

Manchester City have joined the race for Super Eagles and Atlanta forward Ademola Lookman following reports that the Nigerian has prioritised a move to another club this summer, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The former Everton player’s future took a quick turn after French giants Paris Saint-Germain made enquiries about his availability on Sunday.

Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini was counting on the 26-year-old to continue with his fine form this season. However, his hopes have been dealt a devastating blow after Lookman, according to Football Italia, asked not to be called up for their 2024/25 Serie A opening game against Lecce on Monday.

The decision has seen Liverpool and Arsenal try to make last-minute efforts to sign the forward.

Meanwhile, a UK outlet, TBR Football, has included Manchester City among the clubs interested in the talented forward before the close of the transfer window.

Lookman left Everton for £23m in 2019 to join German Bundesliga side RB Leipzig.

However, the latest reports are now suggesting that he could be set for a return to England, with Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City all vying for his signature.

“TBR Football understands that Liverpool are now considering an audacious move to sign Ademola Lookman, who could strengthen Slot’s options up top,” the website wrote.

“All of Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City have been informed of Lookman’s situation in Italy this summer.”

Atalanta may consider the sale of one of their prized assets should the right offer come, with the club eyeing a fee of around €60m for Lookman this summer, a player they’d be reluctant to lose in the same month as Teun Koopmeiners, another player linked with Liverpool.

Since joining Atlanta, Lookman has been in fine form for the Black and Blues, having scored a total of 32 goals with 18 assists in 79 competitive appearances.

He etched his name in the history books by becoming the sixth player to score a hat-trick in a European final—a feat first achieved by Jupp Heynckes for Borussia Monchengladbach in the 1975 Uefa Cup. Lookman scored all three goals in the Italian side’s win over Bayer Leverkusen in Dublin.