As the transfer window rumbles on, things have been rather quiet on the Ademola Lookman front.
This is not, however, for a lack of interest. Juventus explored the idea of signing the Nigeria international, Napoli have been at Atalanta’s door all summer trying to hammer out a deal and, most pertinently, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick is a huge admirer.
Crucially, Lookman is understood to favour a move to Catalonia, but is having to wait while the Blaugrana sort out their issues with player registration. Essentially, they need a sale to free up a squad place. In the meantime, Atletico Madrid have reportedly thrown their hat in the ring, and are keen to upstage their LaLiga rivals.
Where should Ademola Lookman transfer to?
Before Lookman, two choices present themselves. Atletico, willing to meet Atalanta’s valuation and not constrained by registration rules, represent the pragmatic choice, while Barcelona are the idealistic one.
For all that Flick has pushed for him, the 27-year-old must beware of trading what is promised for what is in hand. If he rejects Diego Simeone’s advances, he could wind up in a situation where the reigning LaLiga champions are unable to register him in time, and so opt against his signing; after all, the intention is for him to be a rotation player, rather than a starter.
He is, therefore, not absolutely central to their plans to the point where they would risk completing the signing and hope for the best, as they did with Dani Olmo last summer.
On the other hand, Atleti are in need of an ideal partner for Julian Alvarez upfront, especially with club icon Antoine Griezmann clearly in decline and Alexander Sorloth seeming to perform consistently coming off the bench. Their only other option is Angel Correa, who they are looking to offload this summer.
It may not be Lookman’s first choice, but he is at a crossroads in his career. The moment is perfect to leave Atalanta, and he must not allow loyalty to a club that does not even own him yet dictate his decision-making.
