BIDDING WAR!

• United, PSG enter battle for €100m Lookman

 Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain have launched a fierce bidding war for Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman, with both clubs tabling €100m bids for the Atalanta star, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The 27-year-old, who finished 14th in the 2024 Ballon d’Or rankings, has attracted serious interest from Europe’s elite clubs following his sensational performances for club and country over the past year.

United’s new manager Ruben Amorim has identified Lookman as a key target in his planned squad overhaul at Old Trafford. At the same time, PSG boss Luis Enrique sees the Nigerian as crucial to maintaining the French champions’ domestic dominance and European ambitions.

The former Everton man’s stock has risen dramatically since his €15m move to Atalanta in 2022. This culminated in a historic hat-trick in the Europa League final victory over Bayer Leverkusen last season, making him the first player to achieve this feat in a European Cup final.

This season, Lookman has maintained his exceptional form, registering eight goals and five assists in just 13 appearances across the Serie A and the Champions League, cementing his status as one of Europe’s most lethal attackers.

His remarkable journey from Charlton Athletic youth product to one of Europe’s most sought-after forwards has seen him emerge as Europe’s most productive attacking player in the latter stages of the 2023/24 campaign, contributing 14 goal involvements (eight goals, six assists) from April onwards, more than any other player across Europe’s top five leagues.

The London-born forward’s exploits have earned him numerous accolades, including a nomination for the Forward of the Year category at the prestigious Gran Galà del Calcio awards, where he competes against Serie A heavyweights Marcus Thuram, Lautaro Martinez, and Rafael Leao.

Lookman’s meteoric rise hasn’t gone unnoticed on the global stage, with the forward recently being nominated for the 2024 Globe Soccer Awards’ Best Men’s Player category.

He joins an illustrious list including Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappé, and Erling Haaland, marking his entry into football’s elite circle.

His performances in the Italian top flight have been particularly noteworthy, with Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini, himself nominated for Coach of the Year at the Gran Galà del Calcio, transforming the Nigerian into one of Serie A’s most complete forwards.

The Super Eagles star is among the final five nominees for the 2024 CAF Men’s Player of the Year award, alongside Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, and South Africa’s Ronwen Williams. He is widely tipped as a favourite following his instrumental role in Nigeria’s run to the AFCON 2023 final.

The potential transfer would shatter the African transfer record, surpassing the €83m Napoli paid for Victor Osimhen.

Atalanta, despite valuing Lookman’s contributions, are reportedly open to negotiations as the player enters the final 18 months of his contract as the Nigerian has also declared interest in pursuing a fresh challenge.

United’s interest comes at a crucial time for the Red Devils, with Amorim reportedly working with a limited transfer budget for 2025 following the club’s recent recruitment failures. However, the Portuguese tactician views Lookman as integral to his rebuilding plans at Old Trafford.

PSG’s involvement adds another layer of intrigue to the saga, with the French giants having previously expressed interest in Lookman during the summer transfer window. Their guaranteed Champions League football and domestic success might give them an edge in negotiations, though Arsenal have also reportedly entered the fray in recent weeks.

The forward’s contribution to Atalanta’s success extends beyond his Europa League heroics. His versatility across multiple attacking positions and his ability to both score and create has made him an invaluable asset to La Dea, who are also in contention for the Serie A Club of the Year award alongside Inter Milan and Juventus.

His consistency and match-winning performances have drawn comparisons to some of Serie A’s greatest forwards, with his style combining pace, technical ability, and clinical finishing, attributes that have both United and PSG willing to break the bank for his signature.

With his current deal at the Gewiss Stadium running until 2026, Atalanta find themselves in a strong negotiating position. However, with talks over a new contract yet to yield fruit, the Bergamo club are believed to be already scouting potential replacements.

Should he opt for United, Lookman would return to English football, where his career began, though the Red Devils’ final league position under Amorim could prove crucial in securing his signature. The former Everton man’s experience in the Premier League, coupled with his tremendous growth in Italy, makes him an attractive proposition for United’s ambitious rebuild.