Nottingham Forest well placed to agree sensational Lookman signing
Nottingham Forest see Ademola Lookman as a major coup with the Atalanta winger potentially being on the open market this summer, sources have told Football Insider.
Lookman has been transformed into one of Europe’s leading widemen during his time in Bergamo, going from a player on the periphery at Everton and Fulham to a hat-trick scorer in the Europa League Final.
With 18 goals and seven assists in all competitions for Atalanta this term, Lookman has been linked with a transfer this summer, and a potential Premier League return could be on the cards for the 27-year-old.
Former Manchester United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider this month that Newcastle have sent scouts to watch Lookman, as doubt grow over his long-term future in Italy.
However, sources have told Football Insider that reported fall-out with Gian Piero Gasperini could push the Nigerian towards the exit door, and that’s alerted Forest to the prospect of a summer transfer.
Forest and Newcastle may already be set to do battle for the signing of another top-class attacker in Wolves’ Matheus Cunha this summer, but the Reds are hoping to take the lead in the race for Lookman.
Ademola Lookman transfer a ‘perfect fit’ for Forest
Given the likes of Premier League winners in-waiting Liverpool and newly-crowned EFL Cup winners Newcastle are linked with Lookman, the Nottingham Forest of old would have no chance of signing him.
However, Nuno Espirito Santo‘s side are a different breed this season; on the cusp of Champions League football and able to mix in with Europe’s financial powerhouses in the hunt to sign players like Lookman.
A player coming into the peak of his powers, Lookman’s versatility and ability to play on the left, through the middle and on the right if needs be, makes him a perfect sit in Espirito Santo’s Forest system.
Forest ready for Champions League-defining transfer window
Lookman, Cunha and even Napoli’s free-scoring wantaway striker Victor Osimhen being linked with a move to the City Ground this summer, Forest can expect their transfer record to be broken in some style.
Signing any one of the aforementioned trio could make the £35million paid to Newcastle for Elliott Anderson look like a drop in the ocean, but that’s what it’ll take to compete amongst Europe’s elite.
Forest will be at long odds to bring Lookman back to the Premier League this summer, but interested sides like Newcastle, and certainly not West Ham, may be unable to offer Champions League football.
Lookman looks a long shot to pitch up in Forest red next season, but with leading attackers like Yoane Wissa seemingly likely to make the move, who is to say that they can’t complete an ever bigger coup.