Arsenal keen to buy Lookman during January transfer window following Saka's hamstring injury

ENGLISH Premier League giants Arsenal have joined the ranks of clubs hoping to sign African player of the year Ademola Lookman during the forthcoming January transfer window following the recent injury to compatriot Bukayo Saka.

Lookman, 27, has been a standout performer in Serie A, this season excelling with his pace, agility and attacking versatility. His ability to score goals and create chances has made him one of the league’s most complete forwards, capable of playing across multiple attacking positions and earned him the African Player of the Year award recently.

Last month, Manchester United tabled a €100m bid for Lookman with a view to purchasing him from his Italian clubside Atalanta during the January transfer window. Now, it appears that Arsenal have entered the fray too  after Bukayo Saka picked up a hamstring injury, leading to the need for an immediate replacement.

Arsenal have been second best to Manchester City in the last two English Premier League campaigns and know they need more firepower upfront if they want to challenge for the title. This season, Liverpool are currently toping the table and with Saka is set to spend a lengthy period on the sidelines the Gunners need to do something drastic to stop them.

At the moment, Arsenal are six points behind Manchester City, who have a game in hand and the Saka out, the Gunners will play 10 games in the next four weeks without their most prolific attacker. Atalanta have already declined Liverpool’s enquiry about Lookman but Arsenal fans will be hoping their club submits a bid that is too good to be rejected.

Lookman came through the ranks at Charlton Athletic before he moved to Everton and then had loan spells at Leicester City and Fulham before moving to Atalanta in 2022. Since then, he has scored 44 goals and provided 23 assists in 98 games in Serie A and his goals are responsible for Atalanta currently occupying top spot in Serie A table and on course for the Scudetto.