Napoli have identified Nigerian international Ademola Lookman as a top attacking target ahead of the summer transfer window but must contend with Atalanta’s €50m price tag to land the 26-year-old.
According to Italian outlet Il Mattino, new sporting director Giovanni Manna is preparing a formal bid to bring Lookman to the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium as he reshapes the squad for a return to UEFA Champions League football.
“Atalanta asks for at least €50 million,” the paper reported, confirming that negotiations will not begin below that figure.
Manna is reportedly working with a €200m budget for summer reinforcements, and while talks with Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne are ongoing, securing Lookman has emerged as a key priority—especially with Victor Osimhen expected to leave in the coming weeks.
Lookman recently made history with a hat-trick in the UEFA Europa League final, helping Atalanta to their first-ever European title. His ability to play both on the wing and centrally makes him an attractive replacement for Osimhen.
Napoli are said to be managing Osimhen’s exit carefully, not just for sporting reasons but to avoid unwanted complications during pre-season. Il Mattino notes that club president Aurelio De Laurentiis is especially wary of the striker joining domestic rivals Juventus, where Cristiano Giuntoli—who originally brought Osimhen to Napoli—now works.
Lookman’s transfer could be funded by Osimhen’s sale, with Napoli already active in the market. The club has secured Empoli’s Luca Marianucci for €9m and is in advanced talks for Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Georgiy Sudakov, valued at €40m. Negotiations for Girona left-back Miguel Gutiérrez are also progressing, though Juventus are monitoring the situation.
