Liverpool has placed Ademola Lookman at the “top” of their list of targets ahead of the summer transfer window, according to reports in Italy.
The Reds may soon be looking to replace Mo Salah if the Egyptian leaves Anfield when his contract expires at the end of the season.
Website TMW claim that Lookman could well be signed to strengthen the Merseyside club’s forward options if Salah’s departure is confirmed.
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The former Everton player has been in good form for Atalanta, having scored 18 goals and provided 7 assists in 32 appearances but he is expected to be sold by the Serie A side this summer.
Lookman has fallen out with his manager
After missing a spot-kick against Club Brugge in the Champions League last month, head coach Gian Piero Gasperini said that the Nigerian is “one of the worst penalty takers” he had ever seen.
Lookman responded by stating that his manager’s comments were “deeply disrespectful”. Since then, there has been a rift between the two, with many tipping the forward to leave Italy over the coming months.
Liverpool are not the only club interested in the player
TMW report that Arsenal and Newcastle are also weighing up whether to make a move for Lookman as they look to bring in reinforcements up front.
The competition for the 27-year-old’s signature means that Atalanta are likely to hold out for a pretty sizeable fee. Some sources have put the asking price as high as €70m (£59m).
Considering Lookman’s age, it would be very surprising if Liverpool paid that much for him. A likely alternative would be RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons. The Dutchman plays in the same position but he is six years younger and could be available for a similar sum of money.
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