Akin Ayomide
Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen is reportedly pushing for his club to sign Nigeria teammate Ademola Lookman from Atalanta, according to reports in the Italian press.
The Turkish giants still have their sights set on Lookman, Atalanta’s dynamic forward, as they look to bolster their attacking options, especially with Barış Alper Yılmaz potentially on his way out in January.
According to Foot Africa, the Italian press has reported that Osimhen is playing a key role in this possible transfer.
He reportedly called his friend Lookman and told him, “Come to Galatasaray and be happy here!”
Lookman has struggled for playing time this season at Atalanta following a fallout with the club’s hierarchy over a failed transfer to Inter Milan, and is said to be ready to join the Turkish giants if the two clubs can reach an agreement.
The reigning African Player of the Year went on strike in the summer and was thereafter ostracized by the club. He was reintegrated into the team with a four-minute appearance during their 3-0 win at Torino in September before getting his first start in the Champions League against Club Brugge days later.
The 28-year-old finally opened his goal account for the 2025/26 season on Tuesday night, scoring in Atalanta’s Serie A match-day nine game at home against AC Milan.
Lookman scored in the 35th minute to level the scores 1-1 after Italian midfielder Samuele Ricci had opened the scoring for the visitors in the fourth minute. The Nigerian unleashed a magnificent shot into the top of the net after being put through by Mario Pasalic.
It was the Nigerian’s seventh game of the season in all competitions for Atalanta this season.
Lookman scored 15 goals plus five assists for Atalanta in the Serie A last season, adding five goals and two assists in the Champions League as well.