Grapevine

I’m Lookman fan – Bellingham

Lookman, who scored a hat-trick in Atalanta’s Europa League final victory, was unable to inspire his side to glory against the Champions League winners. Goals from Federico Valverde and Kylian Mbappe secured the trophy for Carlo Ancelotti’s men.

Bellingham, who played a deeper role in midfield, was instrumental in the victory, providing the assist for Mbappe’s goal.His comments highlight the growing reputation of Lookman, who has established himself as one of the most exciting attacking talents in European football.

Lookman’s impressive performances in Italy have not gone unnoticed, with Paris Saint-Germain reportedly in talks to sign the forward. However, Atlanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini remains uncertain about the player’s future.

Since joining Atalanta for €9.35m plus bonuses from RB Leipzig in 2022, Lookman has been in fine form for the Black and Blues, scoring a total of 32 goals and providing 18 assists in 79 competitive appearances. His standout performance in the UEFA Europa League final, where he scored all three goals in the Italian side’s win over Bayer Leverkusen, etched his name in European football history.

Atalanta initially slapped a €70m price tag on Lookman earlier in the transfer window, a figure that mirrored the sum they received for Rasmus Højlund’s transfer to Manchester United.However, with the window nearing its end, they are reportedly willing to negotiate closer to €40m. The club’s financial stance remains firm as they prepare for the probable departure of their most prized asset.Lookman, who turns 27 in October, was born in England but represents Nigeria at the international level.PSG out of Osimhen racePeter AkinboFrench giants Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly pulled out of the race to sign Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, focussing instead on retaining their current attacking options.