BY ROSEMARY UGIOMOH
Ademola Lookman’s €40 million move to Fenerbahçe is shaking up Turkish football and sparking a fierce reaction at Galatasaray.
The 28-year-old Nigerian winger, who has been a standout for Atalanta with 53 goals and 25 assists in 128 games, is set to join Fenerbahçe on a four-and-a-half-year contract worth about €9 million per season — a huge jump from his current €2.3 million salary at Atalanta.
The deal is structured as €35 million upfront plus €5 million in performance-related add-ons, m.aking it one of the biggest transfers in Süper Lig history.
Galatasaray had been pushing hard to sign Lookman, hoping to pair him with fellow Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen to create a lethal Nigerian attack.
They reportedly offered a €9 million annual salary and a €40 million bid, but Atalanta’s asking price was higher, around €60 million, which cooled negotiations. Galatasaray’s interest remains, but their pursuit has been complicated by concerns over Lookman’s recent form and the club’s financial limit.
Fenerbahçe’s aggressive approach, including direct negotiations in Italy and providing payment guarantees, has put them ahead in the race.
The move has caused a stir at Galatasaray, with fans and club insiders frustrated by losing a key target to their arch-rivals.
The transfer is expected to be finalized soon, pending final payment details, and will make Lookman one of the highest-paid players in the Turkish league .
This tug-of-war highlights the growing ambition of Turkish clubs in the transfer market, as both Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray aim to strengthen their squads with top African talent.
The fallout from this deal could shape the competitive balance in the Süper Lig for seasons to come.
