Aston Villa is hoping to use its Champions League qualification as a bargaining chip to sign Nigerian international Ademola Lookman this summer. The Premier League club is among several top-tier teams interested in the 26-year-old winger, who has been in outstanding form for Atalanta.
Lookman’s Transfer Request
According to reports, Lookman has already informed Atalanta of his desire to leave the Bergamo club at the end of the season after submitting a formal transfer request. The London-born star is said to be keen on a return to the Premier League, where he previously featured for Everton, Leicester City, and Fulham.
Premier League Interest
Several Premier League giants, including Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, and Newcastle United, are interested in signing Lookman. Villa holds a strong interest in the player and remains hopeful he will join if they achieve Champions League qualification for a second successive season.
Atalanta’s Valuation
Atalanta is seeking around €65m (£55m) to let Lookman leave after rejecting offers in the region of £40m last summer. The Italian club’s valuation may prove a challenge for interested teams, including Barcelona, which has already initiated contact with Lookman’s representatives.
Barcelona’s Interest
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has picked Lookman over Liverpool’s Luis Diaz as his primary transfer target for the Catalan club’s attacking reinforcement. Despite Barcelona’s financial struggles, Flick is pushing for Lookman’s acquisition, though signing him could prove challenging given Atalanta’s valuation.
What’s Next?
The transfer saga is set to continue, with Lookman’s future hanging in the balance. Will Aston Villa’s Champions League qualification be enough to lure the Nigerian international to the Premier League, or will another team succeed in signing him? Only time will tell.