Soccer
Napoli are intensifying their pursuit of Nigerian winger Ademola Lookman as they race against time to secure a replacement for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia before the January transfer window closes, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Serie A champions recently bid farewell to Kvaratskhelia, who joined Paris Saint-Germain in a €75 million move, leaving a major creative void in the squad.
Napoli had initially explored a deal for Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho, but talks with the Premier League giants have failed to progress.
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Lookman, who won the Africa Player of the Year award in December, has emerged as a strong alternative, with Napoli considering a swap deal involving forward Giacomo Raspadori.
According to Tuttosport via Napoli Magazine, Napoli’s sporting director Giovanni Manna has been in discussions with Atalanta, who have expressed a keen interest in Raspadori.
However, any potential deal hinges on Atalanta’s willingness to let Lookman go, which remains uncertain.
The Bergamo-based club are reluctant to part ways with the Nigerian forward mid-season, particularly given his key role in Gian Piero Gasperini’s setup.
Formerly on the books of Everton, Fulham, and Leicester City, Lookman himself reportedly has a preference for a return to the Premier League at the end of the season, with Arsenal and Liverpool long-time admirers. Manchester United have also been linked with the Super Eagles star in previous transfer windows.
Former Real Madrid and Italy striker Antonio Cassano has backed Lookman as an ideal addition for Napoli.
The 27-year-old has been one of Serie A’s standout performers since joining Atalanta from RB Leipzig in 2022, impressing with his pace, dribbling ability, and eye for goal.
In 105 appearances for Atalanta, Lookman has delivered an impressive 46 goals and 25 assists across all competitions. This season alone, he has registered 14 goals and seven assists in 27 games, a remarkable return for a winger.
While Napoli remain keen on bringing Lookman to the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, negotiations are expected to be complex. Atalanta’s president, Antonio Percassi, is not eager to lose one of his most valuable assets, especially as the club pushes for a strong finish in Serie A and Europe.
Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele
Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele turns into a ball of passion when writing about Nigerian football and its talents, whether rising stars or established legends, locally and abroad.
From the deepest corners of the Middle East, to the green fields of the Americas, to the celebrated grounds in Europe, and the rich soils of Africa, Imhons is more than glad, usually with a glass of a tasty drink nearby, to capture the essence of the game, by connecting the dots between culture, identity, and football.
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