As soon as Merino is finished with his duties, a journalist conveys what he has heard about Arsenal’s interest in an “amazing” star.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta appears set to finalize his second significant transfer of the summer with the anticipated acquisition of Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad, following the earlier signing of Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna.
However, journalist Dean Jones has informed GIVEMESPORT that while these two signings are likely to be the extent of Arsenal’s activity, there remains a possibility for a deal involving Atalanta winger Ademola Lookman, despite the limited time available for negotiations.
Lookman has established himself at Atalanta, gaining valuable experience, yet he possesses the requisite skills to integrate into the Arsenal squad, having played in the Premier League throughout his career.
With experience in top-flight football, Champions League matches, and international competitions, Lookman could seamlessly align with Arteta’s strategy, though the feasibility of a transfer is still uncertain.
Lookman Linked to Premier League Return
The former Everton winger may make a return to England.
Throughout the transfer window, Arsenal has been associated with various attacking players, as Arteta aims to strengthen his squad for a potential title challenge against Manchester City.
Names like Benjamin Sesko and Raphinha have surfaced in rumors, but no concrete developments have emerged. With only eight days remaining in the transfer window, time is running out.
Lookman has garnered attention following an impressive season with Atalanta, highlighted by an “amazing” hat-trick in the Europa League final. Reports suggest he has even missed training to expedite a transfer.
It is believed that Jakub Kiwior could be included as part of a deal if Lookman departs, with Arsenal potentially finalizing a €40 million (£34 million) agreement.
Jones: Lookman Transfer “Challenging” as Deadline Approaches
While a move to the Premier League is possible, securing a deal appears to be a significant challenge.
In an exclusive interview with GIVEMESPORT, Jones expressed concerns that Arsenal’s habit of prolonging negotiations could hinder their pursuit of Lookman as the transfer window nears its end. He remarked:
“Once Merino is officially signed, there has been a strategy in place to acquire a new forward, but identifying the right candidate has proven challenging.
“The connections to Lookman are logical, as we have consistently reported that the new addition is expected to be adaptable. He could also provide some support for Saka.
“I am somewhat apprehensive about their ability to finalize another deal at this point in the window, especially since Calafiori’s situation has been slow and Merino’s transfer is still pending.
“Additionally, Lookman is highly valued by Atalanta, leaving little time for negotiations before the deadline. We will have to wait and see if any progress is made, but from a profiling perspective, it does seem reasonable.”
Lookman’s Career Path Has Significantly Advanced
The Atalanta player has truly found his place in Italy.
The London native began his professional journey at Charlton in the Championship, where he netted 10 goals in 45 appearances before moving to Everton as a youth player, making an immediate impact by scoring on his debut against Manchester City.
Limited opportunities at Goodison Park led him to RB Leipzig following a successful loan period, but he faced restricted playing time in Germany, prompting loans to Fulham and Leicester City, where he showcased his abilities in the Premier League with 10 goals in 60 league matches across both stints.
Undoubtedly, his tenure at Atalanta has been the most fruitful period of his career, marked by 32 goals in 78 appearances.
His standout moment came in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen in May, where he achieved a hat-trick and earned the title of ‘unbelievable.’
His knack for delivering exceptional performances in crucial matches could prove invaluable to Arteta.
