Report: Ademola Lookman on a Serie A shortlist, and a familiar coach

Roma are watching Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman as a possible January option, Italian newspaper Repubblica reports, which would reunite the Atlético Madrid winger with his old Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini.

The report, carried in English by Goal, says Lookman is on the list drawn up by Roma's sporting department, with the Giallorossi keeping a close eye on how his minutes develop in Madrid.

It comes at an awkward moment for the 29-year-old. He has made 15 appearances in La Liga and the Champions League this season, with two goals and one assist, but has lost ground to Álex Baena and sat on the bench for the whole of Atlético's game against Barcelona, his first full match as an unused substitute this season, as Soccernet covered at the weekend.

Why Roma, and why now

Gasperini knows exactly what he would be getting. Under him at Atalanta, Lookman scored 55 goals and added 27 assists in 137 matches, and he is now in charge at Roma.

Atlético paid €35m plus €5m in bonuses to sign him from Atalanta last January, and he answered with nine goals in 24 matches before the end of last season. His contract runs to 2030, on a salary Repubblica puts at about €6m a year before bonuses.

According to the report, Lookman has not asked to leave, but would weigh up his options if his playing time stays limited. Atlético, for their part, are said to be willing to let only one of Lookman and Alexander Sørloth go in January, on the right terms and only once a replacement is found. Real Madrid's Endrick is also on Roma's list.

Analysis: the price is the problem, not the player

On football grounds this makes sense for everyone. Lookman's best years came in a Gasperini side built to feed its wide forwards, and Roma would be buying a player who already knows the coach's demands, the league and the pressure of a big Italian club.

The sticking point is money. A fee anywhere near what Atlético paid, plus wages of around €6m, is a lot for a January deal, and the Sørloth condition means Atlético hold every card. If no buyer arrives for the Norwegian and Baena keeps his place, the most likely January outcome is a loan conversation rather than a sale.

For Nigeria, the question is simpler. A winger who is not starting for his club is a worry for Eric Chelle, and Lookman's best route back into regular football may run through a coach who trusted him most.

First, there is Tanzania. Lookman is part of the full squad now in Uyo, where the Super Eagles need points to keep pace with Guinea-Bissau in Group L, and 90 minutes on Friday would be the best answer to a quiet autumn in Madrid.