Nigerian international Ademola Lookman remains on the payroll at Atalanta but the former RB Leipzig appears destined to join a new club this summer
Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa are the latest Premier League clubs to be credited with interest in Nigeria and Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman, Soccernet.ng reports.
Spurs and Villa join Arsenal in a growing Premier League pursuit for the Nigerian forward, even as Inter Milan remain frontrunners for his signature, according to Sports Boom.
Lookman, 27, has been a standout performer for Atalanta since arriving from RB Leipzig in 2022, delivering 20 goals and seven assists in 40 appearances last season and famously netting a hat-trick in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen last year. His form earned him the 2024 African Footballer of the Year award and placed him firmly on the radar of Europe’s elite.
Inter Milan have already agreed personal terms with the Super Eagles star but have failed to meet Atalanta’s valuation. The Nerazzurri’s €40 to €45m offers has been rejected twice, with the Bergamo club believed to be seeking around €50m.
Lookman has reportedly responded by missing training sessions and basing himself in London as he pushes for a resolution.
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Tottenham, now planning for life after long-serving captain Son Heung-min, see Lookman as an ideal replacement thanks to his explosive pace, ability to beat defenders, and eye for goal.
Aston Villa, meanwhile, have inquired about his availability but would need to sell a key player, possibly Morgan Rogers or Ollie Watkins, to fund the move.
Despite interest from Arsenal earlier in the summer, Lookman has reportedly made clear his preference for joining Inter. The forward is understood to have turned down offers from Napoli and Atletico Madrid in anticipation of a move to the San Siro.
However, Atalanta’s hierarchy insist any “gentleman’s agreement” to sell does not apply to Italian clubs, a stance that has created friction between player and management.
According to Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport, Atalanta have not placed an official asking price on Lookman but remain firm that Inter must improve their bid. The club’s CEO has defended the refusal to sell at current terms, stressing the need to protect the club’s interests.
For Tottenham and Villa, the uncertainty represents an opening. Spurs have both the financial power and the immediate need for a wide forward, while Villa’s growing European ambitions could be bolstered by a player of Lookman’s calibre. Arsenal remain monitoring the situation closely.
Lookman, who is also on the radar of Nottingham Forest and Manchester United, is valued at €60 million by Transfermarkt.