Al Ahli targets Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman for summer transfer
After an impressive Europa League performance, several top-tier clubs have sent in bids for Lookman.
BERGAMO, Italy — Saudi club Al Ahli is reportedly targeting Atalanta attacker Ademola Lookman for a deal that could cost upwards of $70 million. Al Ahli, backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, could send in a bid for Lookman after sending out ex-Newcastle winger Allan Saint-Maximin on loan to Trabzonspor. Al Ahli is the second Saudi club to table a bid for Lookman after Atalanta turned away Al Ittihad’s $65 million offer.
Lookman garnered attention from United, Chelsea, Juventus, Bayern, and more after an impressive Europa League final hat-trick. Lookman made 45 appearances for Atalanta, scoring 17 goals and ten assists. The first club to come knocking was Al-Ittihad, who made headlines last summer for splashing out $135 million on Fabinho, Jota, Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kanté, and more.
Lookman agreed to Al-Ittihad’s $15 million-per-year proposal, which is six times more profitable than his current salary at Atalanta. However, Atalanta rejected Al-Ittihad’s $35 million offer. After signing Moussa Diaby from Aston Villa for $65 million, Al-Ittihad is no longer interested in Lookman.
Al-Ahli, who sent Saint-Maximin on loan to Turkish side Trabzonspor, is reportedly interested in Lookman. Atalanta could demand upwards of $75 million for the attacker, but their price could be negotiated down considering the arrival of Milan’s Charles De Ketelaere. Lookman could be Atalanta’s most lucrative transfer ever, beating Rasmus Højlund’s $79 million transfer to United.
In other news, Lesley Ugochukwu has dropped out of France’s Olympic squad. The Nigeria-eligible midfielder completed a $29 million move to Chelsea from Rennes the past season but only made 15 appearances. Ugochukwu was one of four reserves that could be called upon in case of injury/illness. His withdrawal from France’s Olympic squad hints at a potential loan deal, with French side and Chelsea partners Strasbourg potentially in the mix.
Europe’s top five leagues could be getting its first African manager in Habib Beye. Former manager Patrick Vieira left Strasbourg on Thursday. Rumors swirling around Strasbourg have hinted at Strasbourg picking Beye as a manager. Beye, who made 134 appearances for Strasbourg as a manager, recently finished a three-year stint with Ligue 2 side Red Star FC. Sources inside Strasbourg have said that the club considers him an ideal replacement.
After a disappointing 23/24 season with Nottingham Forest where he only made 17 appearances, Ivorian midfielder Ibrahim Sangaré could join Turkish side Fenerbahçe for a cut-price deal. Sangaré joined Forest for $39 million from PSV last summer window, but a mix of poor form and international duty made it hard for him to get consistent playing time at City Ground. Fenerbahçe manager Jose Mourinho is reportedly high on Sangaré, and the Turkish side will send a representative to England for preliminary talks.