Paris Saint-Germain has set its sights on Ademola Lookman, following the Nigerian’s impressive performance where he scored a hat-trick in the Europa League final in Dublin. Since that match, interest in Lookman has grown, raising questions about his future at Atalanta.
While it may be late to consider selling the player, the unpredictable nature of the transfer market means anything is possible, especially when financial factors come into play, particularly regarding wages. Recently, PSG reached out to Lookman’s representatives to gauge interest, which led to Atalanta being made aware of the situation. The reaction suggested that there could be a willingness for a potential transfer, and it’s hard to resist the allure of a top club like PSG.
However, PSG has not yet made an official approach to Atalanta, which indicates that the situation is still developing. A historical precedent with Rasmus Hojlund might serve as a cautionary tale; PSG had shown interest in him before he ultimately joined Manchester United. The clock is ticking for PSG to act, as Atalanta needs time to find a suitable replacement for such a key player. The club is keen to avoid another situation like the one they faced with Teun Koopmeiners last summer.
At this point, Lookman, who is contracted until 2027 with an option for an additional year in favor of Atalanta, is not in a position to demand a move as Koopmeiners once did. However, the dynamics may still shift. If Koopmeiners stays, it could encourage Lookman to do the same, and if PSG’s interest intensifies and is still declined, Atalanta could end up with two players looking for new career paths. Nevertheless, this would not heavily influence Atalanta’s strategy.
In the short term, Atalanta is focusing on other priorities. They are on the verge of finalizing a deal with Flamengo for right-back Wesley, who will be in Bergamo for medical tests next week. They are also working to strengthen their defense, ideally looking to add Lutsharel Geertruida, a versatile Dutch player. However, his price tag of approximately €30 million is currently out of reach. Other defenders are being monitored, including Austrian Kevin Danso from Lens and Brazilian Rodrigo Becao, who has previously been linked with Atalanta and is now on the transfer market due to interest from Fenerbahçe.
Atalanta’s financial decisions may also be influenced by the potential departure of El Bilal Touré. Stuttgart has shown keen interest and, as competition from Bournemouth increases, they may be ready to meet Atalanta’s asking price. This would likely involve a loan with an obligation to buy, set around €25 to €27 million based on easy-to-check conditions.
In a final note, Atalanta is set to officially announce a contract renewal for manager Gian Piero Gasperini, which will extend his tenure for just one more year, until June 2026.