Arsenal are ready to offer £43m for Manchester United target Ademola Lookman
Ademola Lookman has been rumoured to be leaving Atalanta for months, but now Arsenal’s interest adds an interesting twist to the story. The Nigerian attacker became a key player for the Italian club, scoring 20 goals and providing seven assists last season. With those numbers, it’s no surprise that Mikel Arteta wants to bring him to north London.
Arsenal are confident of securing his arrival for around €50 million, and the idea of returning to the Premier League could appeal to the player. However, they are not the only ones paying attention. Manchester United are watching the situation cautiously.
According to Corriere della Sera, Arsenal are ready to offer £43m for the Nigerian’s signature, and we reported earlier that the Red Devils are interested in interfering with the Gunners’ operation and are seriously considering the option of signing Lookman this summer. The Old Trafford board understands that their attack needs freshness, goals and a different spark.
Is Lookman’s versatility and goal-scoring ability worth Manchester United competing with Arsenal for?
With Ruben Amorim at the helm, the idea of having a versatile, fast and goal-scoring winger fits well into their system. The club have already missed opportunities in the transfer market by not moving quickly enough. They are now assessing whether it is worth matching or exceeding Arsenal’s offer. The 27-year-old player is already familiar with the Premier League, having played for Everton, Fulham and Leicester, which will make it easier for him to settle in immediately.
Can Manchester United outbid Arsenal for Lookman’s signature, given his proven Premier League experience?
Opinion:
In our view, Manchester United should carefully analyse whether Lookman is really the ideal profile to make a qualitative leap in their attack. With players like Garnacho, Rashford and Antony on the verge of leaving, Amorim needs more consistency and X-factor on the wing, but also tactical coherence. Lookman brings pace, goals and the ability to play on both wings.
Compared to other wingers on the market, his experience in Serie A and the Premier League gives him an advantage over younger players who are still unknown quantities. However, United cannot fall into the trap of overpaying. If Arsenal are willing to pay £50 million, Old Trafford should assess whether Lookman is a priority or a luxury. Exceeding that figure could put even more strain on a budget that will already have departures and arrivals this summer.
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Furthermore, Amorim tends to prefer disciplined wingers who are capable of closing down space and contributing without the ball. In that sense, Lookman has improved his defensive work with Atalanta, but he is not a specialist. Against direct rivals such as Arsenal, United would have to move quickly and convince the player of a solid project, because the appeal of London and the stability of Arteta carry a lot of weight.
In our opinion, United should only try to sign him if the figure does not exceed £45 million. If Atalanta stand firm at £50 million or more, there are young alternatives with room for development, or even players from their own youth academy who deserve minutes. Competing with Arsenal in this deal sounds good, but doing so without a clear plan would be a mistake. Lookman would be useful, but not essential.