Arsenal’s hopes of landing Ademola Lookman may have been dealt a blow if the latest reports from Italy are accurate.
The Gunners have been busy this summer, securing six top signings to strengthen Mikel Arteta’s squad, but a seventh addition is still expected. The aim is to bring in a player with a creative spark, someone capable of injecting flair into the final third and unlocking the low blocks that caused problems last season.
Eberechi Eze has been packaged as that signing, but with Sporting Director Andrea Berta yet to make a formal approach for the Crystal Palace star, the deal is far from straightforward. What Arsenal are reportedly willing to pay and what Palace are demanding remain some way apart, prompting the Gunners to explore alternatives.
Eze the priority, Lookman the fallback
One such alternative is former Premier League forward Ademola Lookman, who has been packaged as the ideal Eze backup. The Nigerian international is said to want to leave Atalanta, with Inter Milan pushing to sign him. However, La Dea are reluctant to strengthen a direct Serie A rival and would prefer to sell abroad.
The belief had been that if Arsenal entered the race, they could easily outmuscle Inter. Reports even suggested the 2025 Champions League finalists feared Arsenal’s interest.
Lookman leaning towards Inter
According to Corriere di Bergamo via FC Inter News, Inter are now prepared to increase their offer to €50 million to secure the deal. The Italian outlet claims Lookman is not particularly keen on a move to the Emirates and is instead holding out for Inter, awaiting their fresh bid.
While this may puzzle some Gooners, it will not sting too much. Arsenal still have a strong chance of landing Eze, and Lookman can choose to wait for the club that has prioritised him. As good as he has been in Italy, the winger previously struggled in the Premier League, making him a potential gamble for the Gunners.
Your thoughts welcome in the comments.
Daniel O
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You cannot snub someone who hasn’t asked you to join!!
The only people saying Arsenal interested are the rumour mongers of media and blogs
Said it before I could, spot on!
This constant Eze talk, I just wish for it to get sorted one way or the other. 🥱
That is a good thing – he was absolute pants in the Premiership..
This is typical though. Lookman, in this case, “emerges” in Arsenal’s supposed thinking and is then a focus for reports for a few days. Then, guess what, it’s reported he’s going to where he was almost certainly going anyway (Inter has been interested in him for quite a while now). Move on to the next one …
There is another way of looking at it.
Firstly, Ethan v Eze. Ethan’s signed having been promised and assured of game time for development. He’s been Ode’s understudy during pre season, not playing on the right. Ethan might not be as strong as Eze at carrying right now, but his passing and crossing at least matches Eze. How long till Ethan is better Prem player than Eze if he gets the game time and develops? The arrival of Eze what does it do Ethan’s game time and development?
Secondly, Arsenal fans whinging about the LW and wanting a change, so not simply rumour mill making it up?
Thirdly, African footballer of the year, 14th on Balloon dor current ranking, 20 goals from LW and seven assists last term, five of those strikes coming in the Champions League, in serie rankings from last season Lookman 3rd for goals, 4th for goal involvements, 3rd for key passes, 2nd for progressive carries. Still only 26, native LW but can play anywhere across front 3.
Whatever Man you saw before, take another Look.
£45M.