Arjun Menon
Ademola Lookman, the Nigerian international making waves at Atletico Madrid, was reportedly offered to Tottenham multiple times last month, with the North London club ultimately declining the opportunity to sign him.
Spurs Passed on Ademola Lookman
There was a strong link between Spurs and the former Atalanta star, indicating a long-standing interest in the attacker. They had a clear chance to acquire him, not once, but twice, with the most recent offer coming in January.
However, according to The Sun, Tottenham’s hierarchy turned down the 28-year-old winger. This decision came despite a significant injury crisis that plagued Thomas Frank’s squad throughout January.
Lookman eventually completed a £30 million deadline-day move from Atalanta to the Spanish capital. His impact has been immediate and explosive.
Lookman’s Instant Impact at Atletico Madrid
The Super Eagles star has already netted four goals in his first six appearances for Diego Simeone’s side.
His standout moment occurred just a fortnight ago, when his performance against Barcelona was pivotal in a dominant 4-0 Copa del Rey victory. Lookman opened his account for the club with a precise strike and then provided an assist for teammate Julián Álvarez. This instant success left many at the Metropolitano Stadium wondering why a player of his caliber remained available until the final hours of the transfer window.
Ademola Lookman: Career Statistics
- Atalanta BC: 137 appearances, 55 goals, 27 assists
- Charlton Athletic: 49 appearances, 12 goals, 3 assists
- Everton FC: 48 appearances, 4 goals, 2 assists
- Leicester City: 42 appearances, 8 goals, 5 assists
- Fulham FC: 35 appearances, 4 goals, 4 assists
- RB Leipzig: 24 appearances, 5 goals, 4 assists
- Atlético de Madrid: 7 appearances, 4 goals, 2 assists
- Everton FC U21: 2 appearances, 2 goals
(Statistics via Transfermarkt)
Spurs’ Decision to Snub Lookman Questioned
The decision to bypass Lookman appears even more puzzling when considering that Spurs lost nine first-team players to injury in January alone.
Director of Football Johan Lange recently defended the club’s quiet transfer window. He stated they needed to remain “disciplined” to avoid signing “quick fixes.” Lange argued that with a large squad set to return from injury, any new arrival had to be a “premium player for now and the future.”
Ironically, Lookman, who turned 28 in October, seemingly didn’t fit that long-term profile. Yet, he has already outperformed almost every fit attacker currently in the Spurs squad. Instead of the Nigerian, Spurs opted for Conor Gallagher and teenage full-back Souza, leaving many fans questioning why a proven goalscorer wasn’t prioritized amidst a relegation battle.
While Tottenham’s forwards have struggled for consistency, Lookman’s instant success in Spain suggests he could have provided the exact spark Spurs needed. For a club currently sitting 16th in the table, ignoring a player who has already humbled Barcelona may well be the most expensive mistake of their season.