Atletico Madrid have agreed a €40 million package with Atalanta for Nigerian international Ademola Lookman and improved their salary offer to the forward, putting them ahead in the race for his signature.
The Spanish club have matched Fenerbahce’s offer to Atalanta and are reportedly ready to complete the transfer, while negotiations between the Turkish side and Atalanta have stalled over payment terms and bank guarantees.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed on Saturday night that Atletico Madrid have matched Fenerbahce’s proposal for Lookman, agreeing a €40m deal with the Italian club. He added that Atletico have also enhanced their salary proposal to the 28-year-old forward.
“Fenerbahce have still not agreed on payment terms and bank guarantees. Atletico are ready. Salary proposal to Lookman from Atletico has also been improved,” Romano wrote.
The development comes after talks between Fenerbahce and Atalanta collapsed on Friday night, despite the Turkish club’s willingness to invest around €40m in Lookman. According to reports in Italy, no agreement was reached on the payment structure or the bank guarantees required to complete the deal.
Fenerbahce had been pushing to sign Lookman before the close of the January transfer window, with representatives from both clubs meeting on Friday. However, Atletico Madrid’s readiness to meet Atalanta’s demands has now put Diego Simeone’s side in pole position to secure the Nigerian forward ahead of the transfer deadline on Monday.
Lookman, 28, had previously expressed interest in a move to Spain last summer when Atletico first attempted to sign him.
