West Ham United eye big move for Nigeria’s Ballon d’Or nominee

English Premier League side, West Ham United,  are interested in signing Super Eagles and Atalanta forward, Ademola Lookman, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 27-year-old has seen his value skyrocket in the last twelve months as he’s led the Nigerian team to the AFCON final. He was also instrumental in Atalanta’s UEFA Europa League triumph, scoring a hat-trick in the final against an unbeaten Bayer 04 Leverkusen.

It is believed that the Hammers are scouring the market for a productive and lethal attacker ahead of the two transfer windows next year and Lookman is a name that has been identified as a perfect fit by the club’s hierarchy, as revealed by Give Me Sport.

A return to London?

Ademola Lookman started his career on the streets of London with Waterloo before joining Charlton Athletic. He made his big move to Everton in 2017 before going on loan to Leicester City, Fulham, Leicester City and RB Leipzig. He joined Atalanta in 2022 and has settled in since then.

This season, Lookman has scored four goals and provided four assists in six league games for Atalanta, but it is believed that the Nigerian International is keen on a return to England.

Lookman’s current deal runs till the summer of 2026 and with less than two years left, Atalanta might be looking to offload the 27-year-old, else they risk losing him for free just before the 2026 FIFA World Cup comes to an end.

West Ham were very busy in the transfer window last summer, bringing in Crysencio Summerville from Leeds United and Niclas Fullkrug from Borussia Dortmund, but both are still struggling and Julen Lopetuigi wants to add more quality to their offensive department.

A move to West Ham would be a return home for Lookman, but the one-time UEFA Conference League winners do not represent the stature of club Lookman will want to join at this stage of his brimming career.

In addition, Jonathan David and Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran are also being considered by West Ham.