Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini has addressed the future of Ademola Lookman amid the forward’s recent links to Paris Saint-Germain.
The 27-year-old attacker has been a subject of transfer speculation throughout the final weeks of the summer window, with PSG reportedly interested in bringing him to Ligue 1.
Ranked 14th on the Ballon d’Or list, Lookman became the first Atalanta player ever shortlisted for the prestigious honour and the third highest-ranked Super Eagles player in the award’s history.
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The Charlton Athletic academy graduate earned his place among the nominees following his outstanding performance in the Europa League final, where he scored a hat-trick in Atalanta’s decisive 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen, led by Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella.
With notable African players like Mohammed Kudus, Mohamed Salah, and Victor Osimhen missing from the Ballon d’Or shortlist, the Atalanta forward has emerged as the bookmakers’ top choice for the African Footballer of the Year award.
In August, PSG were linked with the Super Eagles winger as a potential replacement after Gonçalo Ramos’s injury, but the French giant’s manager Luis Enrique decided to address the situation using players already on the roster.
The 27-year-old forward sat out Atalanta’s opening three Serie A games of the 2024-2025 season as transfer discussions gained momentum. However, he has since reclaimed his spot in Gasperini’s lineup, delivering stellar performances that have seen him rack up 10 goal contributions so far this season.
Giasperini on PSG’s interest in Lookman
Now, Gasperini hopes there won’t be renewed interest from clubs in January.
Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport via Europa Calcio, he remarked,
“Lookman tempted in the summer by PSG? No, it was not a good moment. And who knows, maybe certain hypotheses will recur, hopefully not in January.
“But in the meantime, now, it is only important that he is ‘inside’ the team.”
Lookman will look to continue with his impressive form, hoping his performances proves enough to help him cling the 2024 CAF Africa Men’s Player of the Year award.
