Blues enter Lookman race

Chelsea and Liverpool are allegedly prepared to offer as much as €75m (£63.2m) to sign Atalanta BC’s Ademola Lookman in the summer transfer window.

The former Fulham winger has been on the radar of top clubs in Europe since breaking out with La Dea, memorably scoring a historic hat-trick in his side’s Europa League final win over Bayer Leverkusen last season.

Lookman has continued his rich vein of form this season with 18 goals and seven assists from 32 games in all tournaments.

The 26-year-old will be out of contract in 2026 if Atalanta decide not to activate a one-year extension option, and his scarcely believable clash with coach Gian Gasperini has fuelled speculation surrounding a summer exit.

A return to the Premier League will likely be Lookman’s first choice if he does end his stint with the Europa League champions, and according to Fichajes, both Liverpool and Chelsea are readying bids.

The report claims that the Reds and the Blues are both prepared to make £63.2m offers for the 27-year-old, who has decided to pursue a new challenge following the breakdown of his relationship with Gasperini.

Atalanta would likely not be in a position to turn down such an offer even if they did activate Lookman’s contract option, as he is almost certain not to sign a new long-term agreement.

The Nigeria international has amassed a total of 50 goals and 22 assists in 110 matches for La Dea, who are set to make a serious profit on the €9.4m (£7.9m) they paid RB Leipzig for Lookman in 2022.

Capable of playing as a right winger, left winger, second striker and centre-forward, Lookman could fill a couple of voids for Liverpool, who are yet to agree a contract extension with Mohamed Salah.

With Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez all potentially seeking pastures new as well, Lookman could fill voids up front and on the left for Arne Slot, although Chelsea are likely to see at least one attacker leave.