Galatasaray’s pursuit of Ademola Lookman has taken an intriguing twist, with reports in Italy claiming the Turkish champions have drafted in Victor Osimhen to help seal the deal.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Istanbul giants are leaning on Osimhen’s influence within the Super Eagles camp to convince Lookman to swap Serie A for the Süper Lig in January.
Lookman came close to joining Inter Milan in the summer before the move collapsed, and the Atalanta forward has since been linked with a string of top European clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur and Bayern Munich. Yet it is Galatasaray who appear to be pushing hardest.
The Turkish champions are continuing their recent spending spree and are prepared to put serious money on the table. Atalanta have been demanding around €50 million for the 26year old, but with Lookman struggling to hit top gear this season, that price may soon soften.
Even so, prising him away will not be straightforward. While Galatasaray may be ready to match or even outbid the financial packages offered by Premier League and Bundesliga clubs, their biggest challenge remains convincing Lookman to choose a league outside Europe’s traditional top five.
That is where Osimhen comes in. The Napoli striker is said to be in direct contact with his international teammate, urging him to consider the move. Galatasaray will be hoping his voice carries the weight they need.
With the January window approaching, the Turkish side are accelerating talks and remain confident they can land one of Nigeria’s top attacking talents. Whether Lookman can be swayed by ambition and Osimhen’s persuasion may decide how this transfer saga ends.
