Reigning CAF Player of the Year Ademola Lookman is going through a difficult spell.
Before the international break, the 26-year-old was in strong form—scoring three goals in three matches. But since then, he hasn’t registered a single goal or assist for Atalanta.
To make matters worse, he’s been substituted in three straight Serie A matches, all of which ended in losses for Atalanta. He played 83 minutes against Inter Milan, 55 minutes against Fiorentina, and lasted 74 minutes in Sunday’s home defeat to Lazio.
The dip has also extended to the national team. Lookman was largely ineffective during Nigeria’s last international fixtures against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
It’s fair to say that with the season approaching its final stretch, his impact has dipped. His body language, particularly in the loss to Lazio, also raised some questions about his current mindset.
🚨 Manchester United are eyeing Atalanta's Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman to address their lack of firepower.
(Source: @CaughtOffside) pic.twitter.com/tRRWstRGVb
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) April 5, 2025
What is behind Ademola Lookman's dip in form?
Lookman was Atalanta’s standout performer last season, and started this season well too, scoring 18 goals and registering 7 assists across all competitions, but over the past few weeks, he hasn’t looked the same.
One possible reason could be a shift in focus.
Reports suggest the Nigeria international has told Atalanta he wants to leave at the end of the season.
🚨 Juventus want Lookman 👀
He will leave Atalanta this summer, he wanted to go last year but the club didn’t respect the verbal agreement they had with him.
Juventus and other Premier League teams are interested in Ademola.
📰 @FabrizioRomano pic.twitter.com/Ibon9v7Oyn
— Italian Football TV (@IFTVofficial) April 7, 2025
With interest from clubs in England and Italy, he may already be looking ahead to the summer and has mentally checked out of Bergamo.
There’s also the fallout with Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini.
Back in February, after Lookman missed a penalty against Club Brugge, Gasperini publicly called him the “worst penalty taker” he had ever seen.
Although the coach later apologised, the relationship had already gone sour.
That said, it’s not just Lookman.
Atalanta as a whole have struggled and since crashing out of the Champions League, the team has looked flat. They recently lost back-to-back home games and are falling below their usual standards.
Lookman still has time to end the season on a high, but for now, he’s far from the player who lit up Europe just months ago.
