‘Wants to leave’ – Fabrizio Romano confirms elite target available for Tottenham
Tottenham Hotspur are inching closer to officially completing the signing of Morgan Gibbs-White, with Nottingham Forest reportedly softening their stance after weeks of posturing. Forest had initially reacted with what many described as a petulant outburst—threatening legal action in an attempt to prevent the departure of their attacking midfielder. However, with a release clause in place and Tottenham representing a clear step up in prestige and ambition, it now appears the deal will proceed, much to the delight of Spurs fans and, reportedly, the player himself.
Gibbs-White’s imminent arrival comes shortly after Tottenham completed the headline-making acquisition of Mohammed Kudus from city rivals West Ham United. Kudus, a dynamic and explosive wide forward, joined for a fee significantly below his hefty £85 million release clause—an impressive bit of business from the North London club. With Kudus and Gibbs-White both offering creativity, pace, and goal-scoring threat in the final third, Tottenham have already made bold statements in the transfer market this summer.
However, if Spurs truly aspire to elevate themselves into the upper echelon of European football—where they can consistently compete with clubs like Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich—then two marquee attacking additions may not be enough. For a club with aspirations of Champions League consistency and silverware, Tottenham must consider continuing their recruitment drive and deepening their attacking options even further.
One player who could fit the bill perfectly is Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman. While Premier League fans may remember him for his inconsistent spells at Fulham, Everton, and RB Leipzig, the Nigerian international has completely reinvented himself in Serie A. He was, by many accounts, the standout player of the 2024/25 Serie A campaign—delivering week in and week out for Gian Piero Gasperini’s Atalanta side.
Lookman has reportedly informed Atalanta of his desire to leave this summer, with journalist Fabrizio Romano confirming that the forward is ready to move on to a new challenge. Inter Milan, fresh off a Champions League Final appearance, are said to be pushing hard to bring him in, and they are expected to table a formal offer soon. However, Tottenham still have time to make a decisive move if they see Lookman as a fit for Ange Postecoglou’s high-tempo attacking system.
From a financial perspective, Lookman represents a relatively affordable option compared to Tottenham’s recent big-money buys. Atalanta are believed to be demanding a fee in the region of €40 million (£34 million), which is considerably less than the £60 million-plus fees agreed for both Kudus and Gibbs-White. It’s also cheaper than the £65 million Tottenham paid Bournemouth for striker Dominic Solanke last summer.
The 27-year-old offers versatility and end product—two qualities Ange Postecoglou values highly in his attackers. Lookman has proven himself capable of playing across the front three, and he was frequently deployed as a central striker for Atalanta last season. His numbers back up his impact: 15 goals in Serie A, coupled with an average of 2 key passes per game and 1.2 successful dribbles. This marked the third consecutive season in which he recorded double-digit goals and at least five assists in a top European league campaign.
Lookman’s blend of directness, intelligent movement, and ability to create and finish chances makes him a perfect candidate to complement the likes of Kudus, Son Heung-min, Brennan Johnson, and Solanke in Spurs’ fluid attack. He brings experience, maturity, and a winning mentality from his time in Italy, where he played a pivotal role in Atalanta’s Europa League triumph and their top-four finish.
Of course, there are some considerations Tottenham must weigh. At 27, Lookman may not offer much in terms of resale value—an aspect the club’s hierarchy under Daniel Levy often considers when sanctioning transfers. However, this should not be a deal-breaker. Gibbs-White is already 25 and Kudus turns 25 soon, yet both were deemed worthy investments. More importantly, Lookman’s current form and proven ability to deliver in key matches outweigh concerns about his age. If Tottenham are serious about closing the gap with Europe’s elite, then pragmatic, high-upside signings like Lookman should not be overlooked in favor of purely future-focused investments.
Ultimately, with the Gibbs-White deal nearly over the line and Kudus already in the fold, Tottenham are sending a clear message: they’re not content to simply make up the numbers in the Premier League or the Champions League. The squad overhaul under Postecoglou is geared toward building a team that plays fearless, exciting football—but also one capable of winning trophies.
Bringing in Ademola Lookman would only strengthen that mission. He may not come with the Premier League hype that Gibbs-White and Kudus bring, but his output in Italy proves he’s a match-winner—exactly the kind of player Spurs need as they set their sights on the next level.