Ademola Lookman linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur. Photo by IMAGO
Reigning UEFA Europa League winners Tottenham Hotspur turned down the chance to sign Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman twice this season, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 28-year-old was linked with Spurs in the summer, although he only wanted to play for Inter Milan at the time, before he was offered to the North London side again during the January transfer window.
Tottenham declined, and that decision now appears immeasurably costly, as they face the possibility of relegation to the EFL Championship for the first time in almost five decades.
Lookman has since made a strong start following his switch to Atlético Madrid, scoring four goals and providing two assists in seven games for Diego Simeone’s men.
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According to the Sun, Tottenham, under Thomas Frank, passed on the chance to sign the Nigerian even though they’d lost several first-team players to injuries during that period, leaving the attack short of depth and consistency.
Richarlison, Mohammed Kudus, Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke were out injured, while Brennan Johnson sealed a move to fellow London side Crystal Palace.
It seemed ideal for the two-time English Champions to go all out for Ademola Lookman, but instead, they chose to remain cautious in the market.
Tottenham’s Director of Football, Johan Lange, recently defended the club’s quiet window, claiming they had to remain disciplined to avoid signing quick fixes, hence why they refused to sign the 2024 CAF Player of the Year.
Lookman eventually completed a deadline-day move from Atalanta to Atlético Madrid for around £30 million, and his early performances have intensified questions around Tottenham’s decision.
A brilliant debut against Real Betis was followed by an outstanding show in the 4-0 thumping of Barcelona in the Copa del Rey
The Super Eagles forward made an instant impression, scoring four goals in his first six appearances under Diego Simeone.
His quick adaptation has reinforced the view that he could have provided an immediate solution to Tottenham’s attacking struggles.
Surprisingly, Spurs splashed almost 40 million euros to bring in Connor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid, thus paving the path for Lookman to move to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
Tottenham Hotspur have since fired Thomas Frank and hired ex-Juventus manager Igor Tudor. The Croatian’s first game in charge of the Lillywhites was the North London derby against Arsenal, and it ended in a 1-4 loss to the Gunners.
Spurs are now 16th on the Premier League table, just four points above 18th-placed West Ham United and with games against Liverpool, Sunderland, Chelsea and Aston Villa still to come, Harry Kane’s former side are in real danger.