A player in profile with the Atlético de Madrid crest in the background on a blue design

Confirmed, Atlético will pay the €50M, goodbye Barça: neither Gavi, nor Fermín, nor Marc Casadó

The Argentine coach of Atlético de Madrid wants to sign one of Barça's main target players

Ademola Lookman has become one of the great opportunities in the market. The Atalanta winger has caught the attention of FC Barcelona, which is still exploring reasonably priced alternatives to strengthen its attack. His outstanding performance in Serie A and his explosive profile have convinced Hansi Flick, who has already given the green light to his signing.

The German coach is looking for vertical, unbalancing profiles with the ability to beat opponents one-on-one. Lookman meets those characteristics; moreover, his contractual situation with the Italian side is not insurmountable.  Barça is waiting to activate a departure in attack to be able to move more forcefully, but internal reports have already been positive, and Flick is in favor of the move.

Ademola Lookman
Lookman is Flick's desired player | Instagram: @molalookman

The blaugrana sporting management is working quietly, but they know they're not alone in the race; Atlético de Madrid has also shown quite strong interest. Diego Pablo Simeone values highly his ability to break lines from the wing.  He considers him an ideal piece for his system and has asked the red-and-white club to intensify negotiations.

Lookman is thinking about it

From the footballer's camp, there's a clear preference for joining Camp Nou,  Ademola Lookman himself would be delightedto join the new project led by Flick. He believes his style would fit better in LaLiga than in the Premier League or Serie A. In addition, he values the sporting challenge and the European showcase that comes with wearing the blaugrana jersey.

However, the operation won't be simple; Atalanta is open to negotiating, but it wants to receive an amount close to €30 million, and the Catalan club considers that amount high. The idea is to lower the final cost by including formulas such as a loan with a mandatory purchase option or including players in the deal. Everything will depend on the margin Barça can free up with possible departures.

Simeone is the competition

The blaugrana priority is to close at least one sale before going after new reinforcements, but Lookman has climbed the ranks on the agenda. Both the sporting management and the coaching staff like his name. His willingness to land in Barcelona could play a key role; it's not just a market opportunity, but a bet from Hans Dieter Flick.

Preliminary contacts have already taken place at the blaugrana top level, there's good rapport with his camp and total willingness from the player; now, the big obstacle is Atlético. Simeone wants to beat Barça to the signing. But in the blaugrana offices, they trust that Lookman's desire will outweigh the red-and-white financial muscle.

The blaugrana club is going to accelerate in the coming hours to look for a winger who can play on the opposite side to Raphinha. The Brazilian is in favor of Lookman's arrival, while Hansi Flick dreams of bringing him in.