Nigeria Players Abroad
Lookman transfer rumours intensify as Atlético Madrid and Tottenham circle African best
By Dayo Awoniyi
Nigeria winger Ademola Lookman could be set for a high-profile move away from Atalanta, with Atlético Madrid reportedly joining Tottenham Hotspur in the race for his signature, according to Nigeria Footballng.
The 2024 CAF Player of the Year is said to be increasingly unsettled in Bergamo following a tense touchline altercation with manager Ivan Jurić during Atalanta’s 1–0 Champions League victory over Olympique Marseille.
The incident came shortly after Lookman unfollowed Atalanta on all social media platforms and deleted posts linked to the club — actions that have further fuelled speculation about his exit.
Spanish outlet Fichajes reports that Atlético Madrid are closely monitoring the situation, viewing the Nigerian forward as an ideal addition to Diego Simeone’s attack. Tottenham, long-term admirers of Lookman, also remain interested and could make a formal approach when the transfer window opens in January.
Sources close to the player suggest his desire to leave stems from ongoing tension with Atalanta’s hierarchy — an issue that began under former coach Gian Piero Gasperini and appears to have worsened under Jurić.
The 28-year-old, who was linked with Inter Milan last summer before talks collapsed over transfer-fee differences, has built a strong reputation in Serie A, recording 53 goals and 25 assists since joining the club.
A switch to Atlético would represent a major career step into La Liga’s elite, while a move to Tottenham could offer Lookman a return to the Premier League and a system better suited to his dynamic, attacking style.
With the January transfer window fast approaching, all eyes will be on where the Nigerian star’s next chapter unfolds — whether in Madrid’s red and white or back in the familiar pace of English football.
