-Deborah Akinyosoye
Atalanta have resigned to losing their talisman Ademola Lookman to one of his numerous suitors anytime soon, with their head coach Gian Gasperini confirming Paris Saint-Germain’s interest and admitting the Nigeria forward could leave the club.
Gasperini confirmed to La Gazzetta dello Sport that the French giants indeed enquired about Lookman in the summer, but a deal could not be struck despite agreeing on personal terms.
To this end, the Serie A club are combing Europe for a replacement for the Ballon d’Or nominee, who is also courted by English Premier sides Chelsea and West Ham United.
Tutto Atalanta reported that the Bergamo-based club are hoping to cash in about €60 million from the sale of the player and potentially reinvest on potentially a younger player, with Mario Retegui La Dea, Nico Gonzalez, Federico Chiesa, Denis Dragus, and Angel Gomes, who currently plays for Lille, as some of the touted replacements.
Lookman joined Atalanta from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2022 and has been the team’s best player in the first two years, helping them win the UEFA Europa League last season.
The former Everton player finished 14th in the Ballon d’Or final standings and turned up at the ceremony in Paris in style alongside his parents and youth coach.