Ademola Lookman to Arsenal transfer latest as Andrea Berta hatches Eberechi Eze plan

Ademola Lookman to Arsenal transfer latest as Andrea Berta hatches Eberechi Eze plan

Ademola Lookman has recently emerged as a potential target for Arsenal. The 27-year-old forward faces an uncertain future at Atalanta after announcing that he’s handed in a transfer request.

Lookman, whose contract at the Gewiss Stadium expires in June 2027, featured 31 times in the Serie A last season, scoring 15 goals and providing five assists. Playing a key role in the side, he helped La Dea finish third and qualify for the Champions League.

The Nigeria international has established himself as one of the most exciting forwards in Europe since touching down in Bergamo three years ago. So, with that being said, football.london has rounded up everything you need to know about Lookman and a potential transfer to Arsenal.

Lookman wants to leave Atalanta

Last week, Lookman announced that he has handed in a formal transfer request at Atalanta. In a lengthy statement, the former Fulham, Everton and Leicester City forward apologised for taking such drastic action following an ‘extremely difficult’ period in his career.

Lookman claimed that higher-ups at the Gewiss Stadium said that he’d be allowed to leave this summer if they were to receive a ‘fair offer’. The Nigerian added that a club has since submitted a bid ‘in alignment’ with what he believed had been verbally agreed, but the move was blocked.

Atalanta acknowledge Lookman request

The Atalanta chief executive has confirmed the club have an agreement to let Lookman leave this summer, but only to ‘top’ clubs outside the Serie A. As quoted by The Guardian, Luca Percassi said: “The pact with Lookman was made a year ago, when we refused a €20m offer from PSG. The club is always careful when evaluating the value and timing of its players, but as always, it is Atalanta, the club, that decides.”

The Guardian reckons that Napoli and Atletico Madrid are interested in signing Lookman. The report claims that Inter Milan had an improved bid worth €45m (£32.1m), including add-ons, for the forward rejected last week after an opening €40m (£34.7m) was turned down.

Arsenal prepare Lookman swoop

According to The Sun journalist Jordan Davies, Arsenal are keeping tabs on Lookman’s situation at Atalanta, should they miss out on Eberechi Eze. The report claims the arrival of a new forward at the Emirates Stadium could spell the exit of Leandro Trossard.

It’s said that the Italian outfit wants at least £45m for Lookman. The Nigeria international, whose contract at the Gewiss Stadium expires in June 2027, recently submitted a formal transfer request.

Wright endorses Lookman transfer

Speaking on the Wrighty’s House podcast earlier this summer, Ian Wright named Lookman as one of his dream signings for Arsenal. The Gunners legend said: “I’m going to go with Ademola Lookman winning the African Player of the Year in respects of that man’s journey.

“I remember him from Charlton, it didn’t work out, £10million to Everton, then moving all over the place, the journey from loan to this, then I think that’s one of the most devastating performances I’ve seen in any final with that hat-trick he scored.

“You know, it’s just… I can’t help but look at his dark moments where it would have been dark for him. You know, especially all those loans going to another country. And you know what? He never had any problem going wherever he needed to go to find it.”

Wright added: “And then obviously, like you say, you find your place. Like Scott McTominay’s found that, like he’s found with Atalanta. I hope we can buy him, Arsenal.

“I would love someone like him to come back to the Premier League and say, ‘Listen, I have unfinished business here so I am going to help Arsenal win the league’. But I just admire his journey and now he’s recognised rightly as a top player, unbelievable.”