Liverpool are reportedly exploring the possibility of signing Ademola Lookman, a standout forward in Serie A who has enjoyed a stellar 2024. Despite an already strong attacking lineup featuring stars like Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, Diogo Jota, and Luis Diaz, the club’s sporting director, Richard Hughes, seems intent on adding more firepower to manager Arne Slot’s squad. Interestingly, Lookman, a former Everton player, has emerged as a potential target.
Reports from Sacha Tavolieri, via *SkySport.ch*, suggest Liverpool have initiated discussions with the agent of the 27-year-old Lookman, who is widely expected to leave Atalanta soon. The Italian club is reportedly open to negotiating his transfer and has set a minimum asking price of €50 million (£41.3 million). For Lookman, a return to English football appears to be an appealing prospect after a highly successful spell of over two years in Serie A. Atalanta, currently leading the Italian league, views this as an ideal opportunity to maximize their profit on the in-demand forward.
Lookman has been in exceptional form, which makes him a highly attractive option for Liverpool. During the 2023/24 season, he scored an impressive 17 goals for Atalanta, including a hat-trick in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen. His performance has carried into the current season, where he has already netted 11 goals in 19 matches. Liverpool scouts are believed to have monitored the Nigeria international closely during the autumn months. Furthermore, Lookman was linked with Liverpool during the summer transfer window, suggesting he has been a long-term target for the club.
Primarily deployed as a second striker or central forward, Lookman’s impressive underlying metrics highlight his effectiveness in various attacking scenarios. His numbers for assists, shot-creating actions, progressive carries, successful take-ons, and non-penalty goals place him among the top performers in Europe’s five major leagues for 2024, according to FBref.
While Lookman’s previous stint in the Premier League with Everton may initially raise questions, it’s worth noting that his time there—where he scored four goals in 48 appearances—was relatively modest compared to his recent success in Italy. This significant improvement could make a move to Liverpool more palatable for fans.
Although Liverpool might prioritize strengthening their defense during the January transfer window due to injuries, Lookman’s form, quality, and potential to enhance their attacking options make him a compelling target. His addition could bring further depth and dynamism to an already formidable forward line.
