Arsenal Eye Ademola Lookman as Cost-Effective Alternative to Eberechi Eze

Arsenal are reportedly considering Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman as a more affordable alternative to Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze for the 2025/26 season, with Mikel Arteta seeking to bolster the Gunners’ attack. Eze, long admired by Arteta, carries a £60–70 million valuation, including a £68 million release clause, prompting Arsenal to explore cheaper options like Lookman, who is valued at around €50 million (£43 million), according to reports from CaughtOffside and football.london.

Lookman, a 26-year-old Nigerian international, has shone at Atalanta, scoring 20 goals and providing seven assists in the 2024/25 season across Serie A and European competitions. His standout performances, including a historic hat-trick in the 2023/24 Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen, earned him a 14th-place finish in the 2024 Ballon d’Or and the title of African Player of the Year. His versatility across the front line and dynamic style make him an attractive option for Arsenal, particularly as a left-sided winger to compete with Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.

The interest in Lookman intensified after he submitted a transfer request to Atalanta on August 3, 2025, as confirmed by Fabrizio Romano, signaling his desire to leave. While Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain have also been linked, Arsenal’s pursuit aligns with their strategy to balance their budget after spending nearly £200 million on signings like Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyokeres, and Martin Zubimendi. Lookman’s lower price tag compared to Eze’s, combined with his proven Serie A form, positions him as a compelling Plan B, though his prior inconsistent stints at Everton, Fulham, and Leicester raise questions about his Premier League adaptability.

Arsenal’s focus on Eze remains, with ongoing talks to structure a deal below his £68 million clause, potentially involving player swaps like Reiss Nelson, but Lookman’s availability could shift priorities if negotiations stall. With the transfer window closing in September 2025, Arsenal are prioritizing outgoings, including players like Jakub Kiwior, to fund further additions.

Source: African Publicity