Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini seems to be softening his stance on Ademola Lookman after initially criticizing the Nigerian forward. Despite a frustrating 0-0 draw against Venezia, where Atalanta failed to convert several key chances, Gasperini praised Lookman as “our most lively player,” acknowledging the forward’s constant involvement in dangerous positions. Lookman had a notable miss in the 83rd minute when he fired over the bar from close range, but Gasperini recognized that Lookman was still a key figure in the attack, even though the team struggled to be clinical.
This comes after Gasperini’s previous criticism following Atalanta’s exit from the UEFA Champions League, where he had voiced dissatisfaction with Lookman’s performance. However, despite the missed opportunities, Gasperini appeared to backtrack slightly, focusing on the positive impact Lookman has had on the team.
Lookman has been a standout performer for Atalanta this season, with 15 goals and five assists in Serie A, making him the team’s second-highest goal scorer behind Mateo Retegui. Since joining from RB Leipzig in 2022, Lookman has developed into one of Serie A’s most dangerous attackers, with an impressive record of 49 goals and 23 assists in 107 competitive matches.
Amid this tension, there is increasing speculation about Lookman’s future at Atalanta. The club is reportedly open to selling the forward if they receive offers around €65 million (£53.8m). Top clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, Inter Milan, Manchester United, and Newcastle, are said to be monitoring the situation, with Manchester United in particular keen on strengthening their attacking options.
It will be interesting to see whether Lookman stays at Atalanta or moves on to one of the interested clubs. Would you like to discuss Lookman’s potential impact at one of these top clubs or his relationship with Gasperini?
