Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman has opted to join Spanish giants Atletico Madrid, rejecting a lucrative ₦18 billion-per-year salary offer from Turkish club Fenerbahçe. 

Lookman, who was unable to secure a move away from Atalanta during the summer transfer window, had initially reached a personal agreement with Fenerbahçe over a potential winter switch. 

However, the deal stalled after the Turkish side failed to agree on payment terms with Atalanta for the proposed €40 million transfer.

Atletico Madrid subsequently entered the race and, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, have now reached an agreement with the Nigerian international after improving their initial offer.

Romano added that Lookman has informed all parties of his desire to move to the Wanda Metropolitano, despite Fenerbahçe tabling an improved salary package of around €11 million net per year (approximately ₦18 billion per year).   

While Atletico have reportedly reached a verbal agreement with Atalanta on a €35 million fee plus €5 million in add-ons, the Spanish club are yet to complete the final formalities. 

If finalised, the transfer would bring an end to a long-running saga between Atalanta and Lookman, who has been a key figure since joining the club in the summer of 2022. 

Since joining the Italian club, Lookman has impressed consistently, scoring 55 goals and providing 27 assists in 137 appearances across all competitions, playing a key role in Atalanta's historic first European title.

Adeyemi Adewale