By : Lloyd Mahachi

Real Madrid has joined the pursuit of in-form Nigerian winger Ademola Lookman, reportedly eyeing him as a possible replacement for Vinícius Júnior. Lookman has been sensational since joining Atalanta from RB Leipzig in 2022, tallying 39 goals and 23 assists in 90 appearances.

His impressive performance has garnered attention from top European clubs. Previously, Lookman was close to signing with Paris Saint-Germain in August, with reports indicating a personal agreement was reached. Last season, he played 45 matches, scoring 17 goals and providing 10 assists, including a stunning hat-trick in the UEFA Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen.

This season, Lookman continues to shine, with seven goals and five assists from 12 appearances. Atalanta managed to retain him during the summer transfer window, but may face pressure to sell soon, given the growing interest from prominent clubs.

Real Madrid’s interest stems from the potential departure of star forward Vinícius Júnior, with Al-Hilal reportedly preparing a record-breaking €300m bid. If successful, Vinicius’s transfer fee would surpass Neymar’s €222m move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017. Lookman’s versatility and goal-scoring ability make him an attractive candidate to fill the void left by Vinicius’s potential departure.

Editor : Josephine Mahachi