Many clubs have cases of players going on to thrive after leaving – and that’s certainly the case for Everton with Ademola Lookman.
Lookman was on the books at Everton from 2017 until 2019, after signing from Charlton Athletic, with the Toffees paying around £7.5 million, rising to £11 million.
Lookman showed flashes of his ability, but ultimately struggled to find consistency to allow him to play regularly and develop further.
He sealed a loan move to RB Leipzig in January 2018, before going on to turn the move permanent for around £22.5 million.
But Lookman would return to England, having underwhelming spells with Fulham and Leicester City.
In 2022 though, Lookman made the move that would finally make him as a footballer, joining Italian club Atalanta. His rise at Atalanta has been nothing short of amazing, and this was underlined recently when Lookman finished 14th in the Ballon d’Or rankings.
So his career has made for a very interesting watch for Everton fans – and the winger could now be set to return to England once again.
Ademola Lookman could make Premier League return as Liverpool and others eye deal
Ademola Lookman of Atalanta looks on during the Serie A match between Atalanta and AC Milan at Gewiss Stadium on December 06, 2024 in Bergamo, Italy.
Photo by Giuseppe Cottini/Getty Images
According to journalist Sacha Tavolieri writing for Sky Sport CH, Lookman is set to leave Atalanta.
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He will not be retained by the Italian club, it’s stated, and they’ve told the player they will negotiate with interested clubs.
A number of clubs in England have made contact over Lookman, with Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool all keen.
There is further interest from Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain.
It’s claimed by Tavolieri that whatever happens, Atalanta will not entertain offers below £41 million. Officials know that it is now the right time to sell Lookman.
Why it’s clicked for Ademola Lookman since leaving Everton
There is a slight sense of regret for Everton fans over Lookman, who has become one of the game’s most exciting forwards in recent times.
After Atalanta’s Champions League game against Real Madrid earlier this month, Lookman shed some light on why he’s improved so much since leaving Everton, suggesting it’s mainly been down to opportunity.
He said: “I’ve been able to improve a lot as a player and grown into a man. Playing my football on a consistent basis has also helped me to improve.
“I’m just learning every single day, learning to improve, and I still feel like I can improve a lot more in different areas of my game.
“I think over these past two and a half years I’ve been able to have consistency in playing and obviously that’s come into my game to help improve my game.”
Lookman – described as ‘magic’ by Gianpiero Gasperini – has now reached a point where he has a number of top clubs on his tail and it will be really intriguing to see who he will join following his brilliant rise at Atalanta.
Everton fans will no doubt have everything crossed that he doesn’t head to Liverpool.
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