Arsenal receive Lookman boost

Arsenal have received a major boost in their pursuit of Ademola Lookman, with PSG unwilling to pay the transfer fee demanded by Atalanta, according to Sky’s transfer expert Florian Plettenberg.

The Nigeria forward is still very keen to join the French giants, but he has to play the waiting game, as a possible deal is currently stalling because both clubs have yet to reach an agreement.

PSG are the 26-year-old’s first choice, but a move to Paris now looks unlikely despite both parties reaching total verbal agreement. This provides his other suitors an opportunity to make a move.

Lookman was left out of the Atalanta squad to face Torino in a Serie A fixture on Sunday, being the second consecutive game Lookman is being dropped for, further increasing speculation about his future.

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According to Express Sports, Arsenal, who have been monitoring the situation, will be hoping to secure a late move for the player, who is said to be valued at around £51m.

Lookman is represented by the same agency as Kai Havertz, which could swing proceedings in Arsenal’s favour when it comes to snapping him up amid a roster of suitors.

The player joined Atalanta from RB Leipzig in 2022 after excelling on loan terms at Fulham and Leicester City. He took the Italian scene by storm, scoring 24 goals in 62 matches since the time.

Lookman became a cult hero in Bergamo after his hat-trick secured the club victory against Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League final at the Dublin Arena on May 22, as Atalanta lifted the trophy for the first time in the club’s history. It was the first career hat-trick by Lookman, who also became the first player to score a hat-trick in a one-legged European final since Pierino Prati in 1969.