Former Lazio midfielder Dario Marcolin believes that Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman would be a better signing than AC Milan's Rafael Leao, Soccernet.ng reports.
Napoli are expected to sign some reinforcements in the summer, following their success in the just-concluded Serie A campaign, when they won the Scudetto.
The Partenopeans will be competing in the UEFA Champions League, and they would need a quality squad to be able put up a decent challenge.
They are set to complete a move for Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne in the coming days. After that, Napoli are still expected to sign another player at least.
Kevin De Bruyne’s lawyers are set to arrive in Napoli in the next hours to finalize details of the three-year deal.
Napoli are hopeful to get the agreement done in the next 48h. @MatteMoretto pic.twitter.com/zRHMAtafPw
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 27, 2025
Atalanta and AC Milan forwards Lookman and Leao are two of the players who Napoli have been linked to. However, they operate on the same wing. As such, the Partenopeans will only be able to sign one of them.
Former Lazio and Napoli midfielder Marcolin respects the quality of the two players, but he feels Lookman is a better winger and will be the better signing for the Partenopeans.
“Between Leao and Lookman, I would take Lookman,” Marcolin told Napoli Magazine.
“Leao is strong and with Conte he would find greater continuity but the Atalanta player can play in more roles, he determines and helps the change of pace of the game as well as in one-on-one in sprint and speed and has more goals.
In the just-concluded Serie A campaign, Lookman contributed 15 goals and five assists in 31 appearances, while Leao had eight goals and ten assists in 34 games.
Why Ademola Lookman to Napoli would be tough
Ademola Lookman has had the time of his life at Atalanta. He has shone like a million stars at the club, helping them to their first Europa League title last season after netting a hattrick. He's also won the CAF Player of the Year at the club.
However, this summer will be his last at the club, as there are strong reports that the 27-year-old is leaving Bergamo despite having a year left on his contract.
But it is highly unlikely that Lookman will join another Italian club even as Napoli and Juventus have been heavily linked with him.
The Super Eagles star has made his name in Atalanta, and moving to another club in Italy would draw ire from Atalanta clubs.
Lookman also have admirers in England and Spain, with Barcelona, Liverpool, Arsenal and Atletico Madrid all linked with him. The allure for playing for these clubs could draw him, especially if they offer a nice salary.
Lookman will definitely have a big decision to make in the summer.
