Atletico Madrid seals Lookman's signing

Atlético de Madrid

The goalless draw against Levante left a bitter taste, but the most decisive moves on Saturday came in the early hours. With the operation on track between Atalanta and the Madrid club, Ademola Lookman was still hesitating over the salary. Everything changed after a late-night conversation between executives, Diego Pablo Simeone, and the player's agents.

Fenerbahce's refusal to guarantee payments to Atalanta was decisive. Their salary proposal was around seven million annually, while Atletico adjusted the offer and finalized the agreement.

Signing on track at the Metropolitano

The day had started with the 0-0 draw against Levante and ended with the winger's approval. What was blocking the negotiation was not the transfer, which already had a verbal agreement between the Italians and the Madrid side, but the player's salary. Meanwhile, Fenerbahce tempted Lookman with about seven million euros per year, but the limited payment guarantees from the Turkish club to Atalanta ended that route.

In this scenario, a call between executives of Atletico Madrid, Simeone, and the player's representation finalized the alignment of the pieces. The 'colchoneros' closed the arrival of the left winger and are finalizing his integration into the Argentine coach's dynamics.

With the operation already defined, the red and white team sets the transfer cost at 35 million fixed + 5 in variables and Lookman's contract at 6 million euros per season.