Atalanta hero Lookman demands transfer to PSG
Super Eagle striker Ademola Lookman was left out of Atalanta’s squad for their Serie A opener at Lecce yesterday amid rumours about the Europa League hero’s possible move to Paris Saint-Germain.
Lookman became an Atalanta legend in May when his stunning hat-trick downed German champions Bayer Leverkusen and won the traditionally provincial club their first ever European trophy, a first major honour of any sort since 1963.
However the 26-year-old was not included in the squad for Atalanta’s trip south, where Gian Piero Gasperini’s side will begin their league campaign this evening.
Italian media have widely reported that Lookman’s representatives have told Atalanta of PSG’s interest as the club go through an eventful summer transfer window.
He turns 27 in October and scored a hat-trick in the Europa League Final against Bayer Leverkusen last season.
Atalanta purchased Lookman from RB Leipzig in 2022 for €9.35m plus bonuses.Related News
Born and raised in London, he scored a total 32 goals with 18 assists in 79 competitive appearances for Atalanta, most recently the UEFA Super Cup defeat to Real Madrid on Wednesday.
Lookman, who has played 23 times for Nigeria, scored three goals in his country’s run to African Cup of Nations final over January and February.
Meanwhile, Serbia midfielder Lazar Samardzic his arrived in Bergamo for his medical ahead of a 20 million-euro ($22 million) move to Atalanta from Udinese, as another of last season’s heroes Teun Koopmeiners agitates for a move to Juventus.
Koopmeiners was also not named in the 23-man squad for the Lecce match but Atalanta have as yet refused to agree terms with Juve who are rebuilding their team for new coach Thiago Motta.
Atalanta lost centre-forward Gianluca Scamacca to a serious knee injury earlier this month, causing them to sign his Italy teammate Mateo Retegui from Genoa.