African football expert Mamadou Gaye has questioned Ademola Lookman's decision to join Atlético Madrid, insisting the Nigeria international should have aimed higher by signing for either Barcelona or Real Madrid.

After three and a half seasons with Atalanta, during which he registered 82 goal involvements (55 goals and 27 assists) in 137 appearances across all competitions, Lookman completed a deadline-day move to Atlético Madrid, signing a four-year contract valid until the end of the 2029-30 season.

Lookman made a dream debut for the Rojiblancos on Thursday night, scoring and providing an assist to inspire the capital outfit to a 5–0 rout of Real Betis in the Copa del Rey.

The Charlton Athletic Academy graduate, who was named African Footballer of the Year less than two seasons ago, has established himself as one of the continent’s most influential forwards in recent years.

His performances at club and international level have drawn widespread acclaim, elevating expectations about the calibre of club he should represent.

Gaye believes that a player of Lookman’s pedigree ought to be setting his sights on Europe’s elite clubs with a proven and consistent record of success in the UEFA Champions League.

"Real Madrid and Barcelona — what is he doing with Atlético Madrid? What have they won? Have they won the Champions League? No, he's not ambitious,” Mamadou Gaye said on SuperSport’s Soccer Africa.

"When you move to a club, it is to conquer Europe, not to finish third or fourth every year. Real Madrid and Barcelona are the two clubs; the others are just making up the numbers, like Atlético Madrid. Atlético are currently third on the table — that is where they belong.

"When you are Lookman, you value yourself. African Player of the Year two seasons ago, you go to the very top. Which huge club is Atlético Madrid?"

Should Lookman make his Spanish top-flight debut on Sunday, the 2017 Fifa U20 World Cup winner will set a new record as the first English-born player to feature in the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga and Serie A.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel