{"id":856168,"date":"2025-06-17T17:12:19","date_gmt":"2025-06-17T22:12:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/06\/17\/liverpool-man-united-watch-on-as-napolis-bid-for-super-eagles-star-hits-snag\/"},"modified":"2025-06-17T17:12:19","modified_gmt":"2025-06-17T22:12:19","slug":"liverpool-man-united-watch-on-as-napolis-bid-for-super-eagles-star-hits-snag","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/06\/17\/liverpool-man-united-watch-on-as-napolis-bid-for-super-eagles-star-hits-snag\/","title":{"rendered":"Liverpool, Man United watch on as Napoli\u2019s bid for Super Eagles star hits snag"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Soccer <\/p>\n<div>\n<div>\n<p><strong>Napoli\u2019s push to sign Super Eagles star <a href=\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/?s=+lookman\">Ademola Lookman<\/a> has hit a series of complications, as Atalanta remain firm on their \u20ac60 million valuation for the in-demand forward, <a href=\"https:\/\/Soccernet.ng\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Soccernet.ng<\/a> reports<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Italian insider Carlo Alvino has confirmed that talks between <a href=\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/?s=Napoli\">Napoli<\/a> president Aurelio De Laurentiis and Atalanta\u2019s owners are ongoing, but far from straightforward.<\/p>\n<p>Lookman, one of the most sought-after attackers in Europe after another stellar campaign in Bergamo, has attracted interest from top Premier League sides, including <a href=\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/2025\/04\/ademola-lookman-liverpool-atalanta.html\">Liverpool and Manchester United<\/a>, as well as La Liga giants Barcelona.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_152010\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-152010\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/app\/uploads\/2025\/03\/GkfkNU2WkAAy2Hu-750x750.jpeg\" alt=\"Soccer Nigeria Super Eagles and Atalanta star Ademola Lookman.\" width=\"750\" height=\"750\"  ><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-152010\">Nigeria Super Eagles and Atalanta star Ademola Lookman. Photo Credit X<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Following Antonio Conte\u2019s success in his first year as Napoli\u2019s head coach, De Laurentiis is keen to boost the Scudetto winners with more top quality players.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/?s=Nigeria\">Nigerian<\/a> international is viewed as a priority target by the club hierarchy, alongside sporting director Giovanni Manna and Conte himself.<\/p>\n<h3>What has been said of Super Eagles star Lookman&#8217;s proposed move to Napoli?<\/h3>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cLookman? There is constant contact between the two presidents,\u201d Alvino told Kiss Kiss Napoli as per <a href=\"https:\/\/calcionapoli24.it\/calcio_mercato\/alvino-contatti-da-mesi-de-laurentiis-percassi-per-lookman-spunta-anche-il-prezzo-n650920.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Calcio Napoli<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLookman is liked by Aurelio De Laurentiis first and foremost and then by Manna and Conte. Percassi and De Laurentiis have known each other for a long time, they respect each other and there have been contacts and phone calls between the two for months.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<figure id=\"attachment_153058\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-153058\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/app\/uploads\/2025\/03\/GlooihAXQAAAjwi-1-750x750.jpeg\" alt=\"Soccer Nigeria Super Eagles and Atalanta star Ademola Lookman.\" width=\"750\" height=\"750\"  ><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-153058\">Nigeria Super Eagles and Atalanta star Ademola Lookman. Photo Credit X<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>READ MORE<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/2025\/06\/ademola-lookman-atalanta-liverpool.html\">Ademola Lookman u-turn: Why Atalanta legend may now snub Liverpool, Arsenal and Man United<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/2025\/03\/why-liverpool-prefer-ademola-lookman.html\">Why Liverpool would rather sign Ademola Lookman instead of Hugo Ekitike or Isak<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/2025\/06\/ademola-lookman-super-eagles-transfer.html\">\u20ac50 million insufficient for Ademola Lookman \u2013 Super Eagles star\u2019s transfer saga heats up<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Lookman enjoyed a phenomenal 2024-25 season, scoring 20 goals and supplying six assists in 40 appearances across all competitions.<\/p>\n<p>This follows from last season when the 27-year-old struck a historic hat-trick in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen, to seal Atalanta\u2019s first-ever European trophy.<\/p>\n<p>However, despite Napoli\u2019s admiration for the Super Eagles star, a full cash offer appears unlikely. Alvino revealed that Napoli are exploring alternative proposals, possibly including a player-plus-cash deal, to reduce Atalanta\u2019s demands.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cPercassi remains stuck at 60 million, but Lookman is approaching twenty-eight and Napoli is not willing to spend such high figures,\u201d Alvino explained.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThen there is the African Cup. We know what De Laurentiis thinks of those who go to play in the Cup. Napoli will try to lower Atalanta&#8217;s demands.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Atalanta\u2019s new head coach, Ivan Juric, is also believed to be keen on keeping Lookman, further complicating matters.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_146498\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-146498\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Ge9G-d1WEAAGrzv-750x938.jpeg\" alt=\"Soccer Super Eagles star and Africa's Best Player, Ademola Lookman\" width=\"750\" height=\"938\"  ><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-146498\">Super Eagles star and Africa&#8217;s Best Player, Ademola Lookman. Photo Credit X<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Alvino suggested that had Gian Piero Gasperini remained in charge, the deal may have progressed more quickly due to reported tensions between the former coach and Lookman.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cWith Gasperini on the bench the operation would have been easier for Napoli due to the irreconcilable contrasts between the coach and the player. Juric&#8217;s arrival has slowed the operation down a bit.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Lookman\u2019s form since joining Atalanta in 2022 has been exceptional. The former RB Leipzig winger has racked up 52 goals and 25 assists in just 108 appearances. His versatility, pace and clinical finishing make him an ideal fit for Conte\u2019s attacking system.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_153061\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-153061\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/app\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Glooig-XAAAYFWD-1-750x750.jpeg\" alt=\"Soccer Nigeria Super Eagles and Atalanta star Ademola Lookman. Photo Credit X\" width=\"750\" height=\"750\"  ><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-153061\">Nigeria Super Eagles and Atalanta star Ademola Lookman. Photo Credit X<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>While Napoli continue to negotiate, Premier League suitors are closely monitoring the situation.<\/p>\n<p>Liverpool and Manchester United are reportedly circling, both keen to bring Lookman back to England where he previously represented Charlton Athletic, Everton, Fulham, and Leicester City.<\/p>\n<p>Barcelona have also been linked, although a formal approach has yet to materialise.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Soccer Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele\" src=\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/app\/uploads\/2024\/12\/DSC_0327-copy-150x150.jpg\"  height=\"80\" width=\"80\">\t\t<\/p>\n<div>\n<h3>\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/author\/imhonlamhen-eronmhonsele\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\tImhonlamhen Eronmhonsele\t\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<p>\n\t\t\t\tImhonlamhen Eronmhonsele turns into a ball of passion when writing about Nigerian football and its talents, whether rising stars or established legends, locally and abroad.<\/p>\n<p>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.\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/2025\/06\/liverpool-man-united-napolis-super-eagles.html\" class=\"button purchase\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read More<\/a>Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Soccer Napoli\u2019s push to sign Super Eagles star Ademola Lookman has hit a series of complications, as Atalanta remain firm on their \u20ac60 million valuation for the in-demand forward, Soccernet.ng reports. Italian insider Carlo Alvino has confirmed that talks between Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis and Atalanta\u2019s owners are ongoing, but far from straightforward. Lookman, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":856169,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[22723,2005,2620],"tags":[43651,8131],"class_list":{"0":"post-856168","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-liverpool","8":"category-soccer","9":"category-united","10":"tag-liverpool","11":"tag-united"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/856168","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=856168"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/856168\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/856169"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=856168"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=856168"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=856168"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}