Man Utd barge Arsenal aside in Ademola Lookman race

Tom Weber

Updated: 24 Feb 2025 18:59 GMT
4 min read

Ademola Lookman, Ruben Amorim, Man Utd, Mikel Arteta, Arsenal — © IMAGO

Manchester United have entered the race to sign Ademola Lookman, according to a report.

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The Nigeria international is set to leave Atalanta at the end of the season. This was a decision he had already made prior to his recent row with manager Gian Piero Gasperini, but the falling-out has only hammered home that it is time to move on.

Gasperini slammed Lookman as the 'worst penalty taker I've ever seen' when he missed a crucial spot-kick in Atalanta's embarrassing Champions League debacle against Club Brugge.

The following day, the 27-year-old published a lengthy response on social media in which he rebuked the coach for 'disrespecting' him. Gasperini eventually backtracked and insisted that he did not mean to offend the prolific attacker, but the damage had been done.

Lookman ignored Gasperini when he was subbed off after scoring two goals in a 5-0 rout of Empoli at the weekend and it has been confirmed by various sources that the Super Eagles star will leave Bergamo in the next transfer window after failing to get a move last year.

Ironically, Gasperini has also hinted that he could depart the club in the summer. He has announced that he will not extend his contract, although there is still an option for him to continue until 2026.

Man Utd enter Lookman race

Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Lookman had interest from a host of Premier League clubs when he wanted to leave Atalanta last year.

Considering that he has since been named African Footballer of the Year, this likely won't have changed. Indeed, the versatile forward has been heavily linked with Arsenal and Chelsea in recent days and weeks.

However, TEAMtalk now reports that Man Utd and Newcastle have also forcefully entered the race to sign him. PSG and several Serie A giants are also credited with an interest in Lookman.

The outlet acknowledges that the race to sign the Nigerian is still 'wide open' at this point. It is claimed that Atalanta will demand a sizeable €65 million for Lookman, who has scored 49 goals and provided 23 assists in 107 appearances for them.