Latest chapter in transfer saga
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Bayern Munich are pushing to sign former England youth international Ademola Lookman from Atalanta. First reported by The Athletic, reports out of Italy have now confirmed an initial approach by Bayern Munich. Atalanta, however, have rejected a loan deal. Lookman has been training separately from the main squad after a transfer to Inter Milan broke down. Inter had offered €42m plus €3m in add-ons, which was deemed not enough by the Bergamo club. Bayern offered a loan with an option to buy for €28m, but that initial offer was also rejected. Tottenham and Galatasaray are also interested, and all clubs have been informed that Atalanta are looking for a permanent transfer or a loan with an obligation to buy.
Player Comparison
€60.00m
Market Value
€50.00m
Second Striker
Position
Centre-Forward
30.06.2027
Contract until
30.06.2033
Full Player Comparison
Why are Bayern desperate to sign Lookman? “It is one of the smallest squads I played in,” Harry Kane said after the Franz-Beckenbauer Supercup win over Stuttgart (2-1). “There is still some time from now until the end of the transfer window. But that’s down to [director of sport] Max [Eberl] and [sporting director] Christoph [Freund] as well as the coach to make those kinds of decisions.” That problem was supposed to be solved on Saturday, with Bayern Munich set to loan Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea. But that loan fell through in spectacular fashion after Chelsea striker Liam Delap went down with an injury. Jackson had just landed in Munich with a private jet as the news of Chelsea cancelling the loan broke.
The failed Jackson transfer was the latest chapter in what has been a catastrophic transfer window for the Bundesliga giants. The Munich club lost out on signing Florian Wirtz (to Liverpool) and Nick Woltemade (to Newcastle). Bayern were also interested in Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku, but he has now joined AC Milan instead. Additionally, Kingsley Coman left the club to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, and Leroy Sané opted to leave on a free transfer to Galatasaray.
Just 25 players in the squad – Why Bayern are desperate to add Lookman
As a result of failed transfers and player departures, Bayern Munich’s squad has been reduced to 25 players. That squad includes four goalkeepers as well as youth players Lennart Karl (17), Wisdom Mike (16), and Jonah Kusi-Asare (18). Furthermore, Alphonso Davies and Jamal Musiala are currently missing with long-term injuries. Despite all that, Freund and Eberl were instructed to only find short-term loan solutions, as the board wants to keep its powder dry for a major transfer offensive next summer. “Everyone will now revisit their network and contacts to a certain extent, and then we’ll see what’s possible,” Eberl said after the failed Lookman deal.
Who else is interested in Lookman? Inter Milan attempted to sign the 27-year-old Nigerian national team striker earlier this transfer window. Their €45m all-in bid was significantly below Lookman’s €70m market value. Despite their failed bid, Inter are still in the race. As are Turkish giants are Galatasaray, who have already spent over €100m on new players this summer, including on star striker Victor Osimhen, who was previously on loan from Napoli. Turkish football is currently awash in money, and it wouldn’t be shocking if Gala added yet another high-profile player to their squad. What about Tottenham? Although linked by Fabrizio Romano, sources tell Transfermarkt that Tottenham filled the final squad position in attack when the club signed Xavi Simons from Leipzig. Not having to compete with a Premier League club might be good news for Bayern, at least.