Arsenal enter race for Nigerian sensation

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 10 Nov 2024 08:37 GMT
• 3 min read

Arsenal have entered the race for Atalanta and Nigeria sensation Ademola Lookman, according to Soccernet.ng.

Lookman has emerged as one of Europe’s most admired players in 2024, scoring a legendary hattrick for Atalanta in the 3-0 Europa League final victory over Bayer Leverkusen.

So impressive has Lookman been, he has more goal contributions - goals and assists - than any other Serie A player in all competitions this calendar year.

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This has attracted the interest of some of Europe’s biggest clubs, with PSG close to signing the Nigerian in the summer.

In the closing days of the summer window, PSG turned Lookman’s head and he agreed personal terms on a contract worth €5 million year until 2029.

Lookman stunned Atalanta by informing them that he wanted to leave the club for PSG.

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This move infuriated Atalanta, who reluctantly were forced to leave Lookman out of their squad for their opening game of the Serie A season, a 4-0 win at Lecce.

Eventually, the move did not go through and Lookman was reintegrated into the Atalanta team where he has enjoyed a brilliant start to the season.

Last Sunday, he scored two fantastic goals as Atalanta won 3-0 at league leaders Napoli. He followed that up with another goal in midweek as Atalanta won 2-0 at Stuttgart in the Champions League.

Lookman to leave Atalanta at end of season?

Lookman, now 27, is still expected to leave Atalanta at the end of the season for a big club.

And Arsenal are reported to be weighing up a move for the English-born attacker who plays for Nigeria.

The Gunners see Lookman as an ideal player for the left wing of Mikel Arteta’s 4-2-3-1 formation.

Leandro Trossard is expected to leave Arsenal in the January transfer market, while Gabriel Martinelli has seen his levels drop over the last year.

Lookman has eight goals and five assists in 13 games in all competitions for Atalanta this season.