‘West Ham face Ademola Lookman dilemma as search for Kudus replacement intensifies’
West Ham United could face complications in signing Ademola Lookman as a replacement for the outgoing Mohammed Kudus.
Kudus has been a key player for the Hammers over the past two seasons, registering 19 goals and 13 assists in 80 appearances across all competitions.
However, the Ghana international is on the verge of joining London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in a £55million deal (9 July).
That departure will leave a gaping hole in Graham Potter‘s attack, which must be filled as soon as possible.
West Ham keen on Ademola Lookman
According to reports from Sky Sports, West Ham have identified Atalanta winger Lookman as the ideal replacement for Kudus.
Lookman — who has also been linked with Arsenal recently (28 June) — has been a huge hit with the Italian side, registering 52 goals and 25 assists in 118 appearances across all competitions since joining from RB Leipzig in 2022.
The Nigeria international also scored a hat-trick in the 2024 Europa League final as Atalanta beat Bayer Leverkusen 3-0, subsequently being nominated for the Ballon d’Or award.
West Ham must push Atalanta for Lookman deal
Football Insider verdict
It’s understood that Lookman is keen to return to London, where he was born and came through the ranks at Charlton Athletic before joining Everton in 2017.
However, Sky’s report states that Atletico Madrid are also keen on the 27-year-old forward, and that Atalanta will sell to their preferred buyer rather than the club Lookman wishes to join.
| Club | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Atalanta | 118 | 52 | 25 |
| Charlton Athletic | 49 | 12 | 3 |
| Everton | 48 | 4 | 2 |
| Leicester City | 42 | 8 | 5 |
| Fulham | 35 | 4 | 4 |
| RB Leipzig | 24 | 5 | 4 |
That could imply that Atletico are willing to spend more than the Hammers, though there will be a big budget available following the sale of Kudus.
Whether or not West Ham are happy to pay the €60million (£51.7m) required to convince Atalanta to sell a player who turns 28 in October is another question.
One thing that is clear, however, is that they must move swiftly to secure a Kudus replacement if they wish to avoid a repeat of their 14th-place finish in the Premier League from last season.