Atletico Open to Selling Lookman Months After €35m Signing

Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman

Atletico Open to Selling Lookman Months After €35m Signing

La Liga side Atletico Madrid are prepared to listen to offers for Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman just months after signing him from Atalanta in one of the winter window’s most significant deals. According to Fotospor, reports from Spain and Turkey indicate that the club may sanction his exit for roughly €60 million this summer. The development comes as a surprise given that Lookman only joined Diego Simeone’s side in February 2026 in a transfer worth approximately €35 million plus add-ons, signing a contract that runs until 2030.

The 28-year-old enjoyed a bright start to life in Madrid. He scored on his debut for Atletico in a 5-0 rout of Real Betis on February 5, 2026, finding the net in the 37th minute after just a couple of training sessions with his new teammates. “I’m very, very happy, very proud to make my debut tonight, especial performance from the team,” Lookman said after the match. “Obviously the team and the staff and everybody has welcomed me very nicely. It has made it easy for me to settle in.” His impact continued throughout the campaign, with Lookman playing a crucial role in securing Champions League qualification for Atletico. On May 12, 2026, he scored the opening goal in a 2-1 victory over Osasuna, converting a first-half penalty that mathematically guaranteed Atletico’s top-four finish in La Liga. However, despite contributing four La Liga goals alongside strikes in the Copa del Rey and UEFA Champions League, Lookman has reportedly struggled to adapt to Atletico’s demanding defensive structure, and Simeone is claimed to have backed the club’s decision to pursue offers as part of a larger team overhaul. Since joining Atletico, Lookman has played 24 official matches for the club, scoring nine goals and providing four assists, contributing directly to 13 goals in 1,381 minutes of play.

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Several Premier League clubs are expected to take note of the development right away. Arsenal is among those keeping an eye on developments, with manager Mikel Arteta said to admire Lookman’s mobility across the front line. Liverpool, who tracked the Nigerian during his time at Atalanta, is also interested, with his pressing tenacity and pace seen as a perfect fit for their style. Manchester United, another English team, is monitoring the situation, expressing a desire for more consistent output from their wide areas.

Outside England, Fenerbahçe are anticipated to renew their interest in Lookman, having previously been close to signing him before Atletico completed the deal in January. The Turkish giants had reached an agreement with both Lookman and Atalanta during the winter window, but the deal collapsed over bank guarantee issues. Galatasaray have also entered the race. According to Turkish media reports, the club’s star striker Victor Osimhen is providing positive references about his Nigerian international teammate to facilitate a potential move. Osimhen, who has reportedly been giving favorable recommendations about Lookman, is said to be ready to help convince the winger to join the Istanbul giants. Galatasaray’s biggest selling point is the opportunity to play in the Champions League, which could be a decisive factor in the Nigerian’s decision. Paris Saint-Germain are also thought to remain interested. In Italy, both Inter Milan and Juventus are admirers, although matching Atletico’s valuation of around €60 million and the player’s reported net salary of roughly €6 million per season may prove difficult for Serie A clubs.

Lookman’s move to Atletico Madrid was finalized after intense negotiations where the Spanish club outmaneuvered competition from Fenerbahce. The Nigerian international had endured a stormy relationship with Atalanta prior to his departure, requesting to leave the club citing broken promises and poor treatment. Lookman, who famously scored a hat-trick in the Europa League final for Atalanta in 2024 to end Bayer Leverkusen’s 51-game unbeaten run, registered 55 goals during his time in Bergamo. That performance made him the sixth player to score a hat-trick in a major European final and the first since 1975. He has previously played in England for Charlton Athletic, Everton, Fulham, and Leicester City. His exceptional form earned him the CAF Men’s Player of the Year award in 2024, cementing his status as one of Africa’s top talents.

Despite reports of Atletico’s willingness to sell, some sources suggest the Spanish club now sees Lookman as an indispensable part of their sporting project following his standout performances, with any potential transfer requiring a fee closer to €70 million. As of the time of this report, no official decision has been made regarding Lookman’s future. The summer transfer window will determine whether the Nigerian international remains at the Wanda Metropolitano or seeks a new challenge elsewhere.