Nigeria Players Abroad
“Nobody expected to find ourselves in this” – Gasperini on Lookman’s potential exit
By Monsurah Olatunji
Atalanta’s manager Gian Piero Gasperini has recently addressed the situation concerning Ademola Lookman, who missed their Serie A opener against Lecce amid ongoing transfer speculation linking him to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
Lookman, who enjoyed a remarkable season with Atalanta, is rumored to be on the verge of leaving the club, with PSG reportedly viewing him as a key target following their shift away from Napoli’s Victor Osimhen.
Lookman’s standout performance last season, which included leading Atalanta to their first-ever European title and scoring a hat-trick in the Europa League final, has made him a coveted player.
His tally of 11 league goals and eight assists, along with 17 goals and nine assists across all competitions, highlights his crucial role in the team.
Gasperini acknowledged the challenges he’s facing due to the uncertainty around Lookman, Koopmeiners, and Scamacca’s injury.
“In all honesty, nobody expected to find ourselves in this situation. At this moment, I am having to take it one day at a time,” Gasperini stated following Atalanta’s 4-0 victory over Lecce.
He added, “My job is to see with the club what could be useful to add. Clearly, we’ll not have a defined squad until August 31.”
Atalanta is reportedly seeking between 45 and 50 million euros for Lookman, and while no official bid has been made yet, it’s anticipated that a deal could be finalized before the transfer window closes.
