Murat Salar, vice president of Turkish football club Fenerbahçe, has voiced his frustration following the failure to secure Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman during the January transfer window, as reported by Afrik-Foot.
Salar placed the blame for the unsuccessful negotiations squarely on the Italian club Atalanta, where Lookman currently plays.
Fenerbahçe was optimistic about their chances after proposing a lucrative financial deal that could rise to €40 million, including additional bonuses. Reports in both Turkish and Italian media indicated that the club was well ahead in the race, despite interest emerging from Spain.
The Turkish club was also prepared to offer Lookman a substantial contract exceeding €9 million annually, highlighting their strong desire to sign the 28-year-old forward. However, discussions regarding the terms of the payment structure delayed the deal, giving another club the chance to intervene.
Spanish outfit Atlético Madrid quickly entered the fray, agreeing to an arrangement worth approximately €35 million plus bonuses, ultimately finalizing the transfer while Fenerbahçe was still negotiating.
Salar disclosed that Atalanta's request for a bank guarantee prior to approving the move was perceived as unnecessary and disrespectful by the Turkish side, leading to the deal's collapse.
“We felt this request as an insult,” Salar stated during an interview with the club's official television channel, as reported by Turkiye Today. “We questioned which bank's reputation could possibly surpass that of a 120-year- old institution like Fenerbahçe?”
With the transfer to Turkey falling through, Lookman swiftly made an impact in Spain. On his debut with Atlético, he scored a goal and assisted another in a resounding 5-0 victory against Real Betis, thereby helping the team secure a spot in the Copa del Rey semi-finals against Barcelona.
In the first leg of that semi-final, Lookman again demonstrated his prowess, providing both a goal and an assist in a remarkable 4-0 triumph for Atlético. He has now achieved two goals and two assists in his first three matches with his new team.
A favorable outcome in the upcoming second leg on March 3 would propel Atlético into the final, as manager Diego Simeone aims to reclaim the trophy he previously won in 2024.
Comments (0)
You must be logged in to comment.
Be the first to comment on this article!