Two of Turkey’s football powerhouses, Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe, are gearing up for a competitive January transfer window as they look to secure the services of Nigeria international Ademola Lookman.
Lookman’s situation at Atalanta has soured in recent months, with the 28-year-old winger expressing increasing frustration after the Italian club blocked a proposed summer move to Inter Milan. Inter’s €45 million bid was rejected, with Atalanta demanding €50 million, a stance that reportedly angered Lookman. Tensions escalated further when the Nigerian star briefly walked out of training before eventually returning to the squad.
The situation came to a head during Atalanta’s Champions League fixture against Marseille on November 5, when Lookman was involved in a heated confrontation with then-manager Ivan Juric. Juric has since left Atalanta, but the managerial change is unlikely to alter Lookman’s desire for a new challenge.
With a contract running until June 2027, Atalanta hold a strong negotiating position. However, the player is pushing for a fresh start, though a move in January remains uncertain, particularly with Lookman set to join Nigeria for the Africa Cup of Nations later in December.
Interest in the winger extends beyond Turkey, with Atletico Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur, both of whom attempted to sign Lookman in the summer, reportedly preparing renewed approaches during the winter transfer window, according to Teamtalk.
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