- Ademola Lookmnan played 36 times for the Toffees between 2017 and 2019
- He has since scored a hat-full of goals at Atalanta and won the Europa League
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Arsenal have reportedly ‘made a substantial offer for Atalanta star Ademola Lookman’ as Mikel Arteta looks to make last-minute reinforcements to his forward line.
The north London club have bid £42.5million (€50m) plus centre-back Jakub Kiwior in an attempt to bring the former Everton winger to the Emirates.
Lookman made 36 appearances for the Toffees between 2017 and 2019 before making a move to RB Leipzig, which saw him then go out on a couple of successful loan spells.
After a season at Fulham and another at Leicester City, the Nigeria international transferred to Atalanta where he has made 79 appearances, scoring 32 goals and bagging a Europa League title in May.
Now the 26-year-old looks set for a return to the Premier League, with giants Arsenal keen on the mercurial forward, Alfredo Pedulla reports.
Arsenal have reportedly ‘made a substantial offer for Atalanta star Ademola Lookman’
Mikel Arteta is looking to make last-minute reinforcements to his forward line
The Italian journalist says that Lookman did not show up for training yesterday although this move was probably authorised by the club.
Arsenal’s bid stands a chance of being successful, given that Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini likes Kiwior, although the asking price for the winger is thought to be more like £55m-£60m (€65-70m).
Any interest will perhaps force the Serie A outfit to offer Lookman an improved deal.
The forward, born in Wandsworth, London, made 32 appearances for the Three Lions’ age-group sides and lifted the under-20s World Cup back in 2017.
He came through the Charlton academy and made the switch to Goodison Park earlier in the same year.
Since switching allegiance, he has gone on to play 23 matches for Nigeria, scoring six goals.
His career high-point came in the 3-0 Europa League final win over Bayer Leverkusen, who had been unbeaten all season, where he scored a hat-trick – becoming the first player to do so in a one-legged European final since 1969.
Arsenal have had a busy pre-season, signing Riccardo Calafiori and David Raya permanently and are now planning to swoop in for Real Sociedad’s Mikel Merino.
The midfielder was excluded from La Real’s squad for their LaLiga opener against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday and club president Jokin Aperribay recently confirmed a bid from the Gunners.
The north London club have bid €50million plus centre-back Jakub Kiwior
Lookman made 36 appearances for the Toffees between 2017 and 2019
Arsenal had a busy pre-season on and off the pitch, signing Riccardo Calafiori
They are also believed to be considering a move for Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia as Aaron Ramsdale looks set for a transfer away from north London.
In terms of outgoings, Emile Smith Rowe is the only senior player who has left permanently, joining Fulham for a £27million fee.
