Transfer: West Ham eye Atalanta’s Super Eagles star to usher in Lopetegui era

Super Eagles and Atalanta forward, Ademola Olajade Lookman, has emerged as a transfer target for English Premier League side, West Ham United, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 26-year-old has been in the best form of his career since moving to Bergamo in 2022 and put in a scintillating performance in the UEFA Europa League final, scoring a hat-trick against Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen, ending their 51-game unbeaten streak.

Lookman’s performance at the Aviva Arena in Dublin, Ireland will be talked about for ages. His brilliant display have caught the eyes of West Ham.

The Hammers will part ways with David Moyes at the end of the season and have signed a contract with former Sevilla coach, Julen Lopetuigi.

The Spaniard won the UEFA Europa League with Sevilla in the 2019/2020 season, defeating Manchester United under Ole Gunnar Solksjaer.

As per Claret and Hugh, the West Ham hierarchy view Lookman as the perfect profile for their left-wing spot, with Ghana’s Mohammed Kudus taking charge of the right flank with Brazil’s Lucas Pacqueta taking charge of the number 10 role.

Soccernet.ng earlier reported the former Fulham man wants to quit playing football in Italy, with a return to England in the summer understood to be his preference. The Nigerian forward never really settled into life in Italy due to vast cultural differences from his experiences in Germany and England. However, that didn’t deter him from putting up great numbers.

Valued at €30m, Lookman’s contract with Atalanta expires in 2026. With the absence of renewal talks, Atalanta might not be able to hold on to the England-born Nigeria much longer, hinting at a possible summer move.

Lookman has been called-up to the Super Eagles squad ahead of their World Cup qualifies against South Africa and Benin Republic.