The reason why Ademola Lookman made a big career move to Spanish LaLiga side Atlético Madrid has been explained by football transfer expert Daniel Martins, in the wake of comparisons with the transfer of Victor Osimhen to Galatasaray.
Nigerians on social media compared the transfer to that of Osimhen who moved from the Italian Serie A to Galatasaray at the peak of his game. A move that came after a breakdown in his relationship with Napoli.
Lookman’s relationship with Atalanta also suffered a similar fate after he went on strike to push a move in the summer to Serie A rivals Inter Milan. The club blocked the move leaving him with no option but to return.
” I think we have too many people on the internet speaking about what they know nothing about. When Lookman was close to joining Fenerbahce the people from Osimhen’s camp were already pushing a narrative to justify his permanent transfer to Turkey in the summer”, Martins explained.
” However it’s two different scenarios. Osimhen signed an extension to his deal with Napoli while he was at this stage that Lookman was in his contract with Atalanta. Now Osimhen got bumper wages with Napoli hoping that a summer sale will help cover. However it didn’t happen as no club agreed to pay the agreed release clause expect Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia, and Osimhen didn’t want to go there.
” On the other hand Lookman refused an extension leaving Atalanta in a position where they have to sell to protect his value. The transfer fee is even lower because of the contract which will have a year to go in the summer”, he explained.
Speaking further he also spoke about Lookman having a representative who works with a team of experts unlike Osimhen’s agent, who isn’t at that level yet.
” You also have to look at advisers and who is their representative. Lookman’s camp handled it better than Osimhen’s if we are being honest. Someone sold a dummy to the former agent of Osimhen unlike Lookman who worked with a very good agency”, he stated.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
