Italian champions Napoli are preparing to submit their first bid for Nigeria and Atalanta forward, Ademola Lookman.
Napoli have set their sights on the Nigerian as an ideal replacement for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who joined Paris Saint-Germain in January.
Antonio Conte’s side have made a bold start to the summer transfer window with the high-profile capture of Kevin De Bruyne and the promising Luca Marianucci, and are keen to bolster their attacking options ahead of the 2025/26 season.
According to CNA, Napoli are preparing a €50m offer for Lookman, against Atalanta’s €60m asking price.
The 27-year-old has been tipped to leave the 2023/24 Europa League champions this season after a frosty relationship with former coach Gian Piero Gasperini.
However, things have changed at the helm and the recent comments of new Atalanta coach Ivan Juric have complicated any assumptions regarding Lookman’s exit from Bergamo.
Juric has made it clear he wants reigning African Footballer of the Year Ademola Lookman to remain at the club despite growing interest from European heavyweights.
“It will be tough in the league, there will be fierce competitors,” Juric said during his introductory press conference, as reported by Calcio Napoli.
“The idea would be to keep both Lookman and Ederson, even if the club has clear ideas on the market and I have not made any request on players, not even on those I have had.”
Amid his speculated exit, Lookman is also attracting interest from Premier League clubs and Barcelona have also been mooted as one of the sides targeting him.
It remains to be seen whether Lookman wants to remain in Italy or pursue a return to English football, having previously played for Charlton, Everton, Fulham, and Leicester City.
Lookman has enjoyed a sensational spell in Bergamo, tallying 52 goals and 25 assists in 108 appearances across all competitions.
His crowning moment came in May 2024, when he scored a stunning hat-trick in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen to secure Atalanta’s first-ever European title.
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