Key Takeaways:
- Fenerbahce and Galatasaray have both launched bids to sign Ademola Lookman ahead of the Turkish transfer window’s closure on Friday, 12 September
- Fenerbahce have reportedly offered Lookman a four-year contract worth €6m per year in wages, but no formal agreement exists with the player or Atalanta
- Lookman has not made any appearances this season for Atalanta, having trained separately following a failed transfer to Inter
Transfer Battle Intensifies in Istanbul
In a dramatic development on the Turkish football scene, both Galatasaray and Fenerbahce have moved to secure the services of Nigeria international Ademola Lookman from Atalanta. The Turkish transfer window remains active until Friday, 12 September, creating a unique opportunity for the Istanbul rivals to outmanoeuvre their European counterparts, who are now locked out of further signings following Monday’s deadline.
🚨Fenerbahçe ve Galatasaray, Lookman transferi için yarışta. (Sport Mediaset) #LookmanFenere pic.twitter.com/MOonFv9N0y
— Fener Markaj (@fenermarkajorg) September 1, 2025
Lookman’s Unsettled Situation at Atalanta
Lookman, who had pushed for a switch to Inter over the summer, was left frustrated after Atalanta refused to sanction the move, reportedly prompting him to go on strike. The episode mirrors the experience of fellow Nigerian Victor Osimhen’s attempted move from Napoli, before he eventually went on loan to Galatasaray last season after his transfer wishes were denied.
After Inter informed Atalanta that their interest had cooled, Lookman returned to Italy but has since trained away from the main group and is yet to feature in a match this campaign.
Contract Details and Market Moves
SportingPedia sources in Italy shared that Fenerbahce are attempting to attract Lookman with a significant financial package amounting to €6m per season over four years. Nevertheless, no formal agreement has been established with either the player or Atalanta at this stage.
Galatasaray remain a serious contender to watch in the days leading up to the deadline but it is still unclear whether they have the financial resources to attract the Nigerian, after completing Ilkay Gundogan’s transfer from Manchester City.
| Club | Offer Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Fenerbahce | Four-year contract, €6m per season in wages | No agreement with player or Atalanta |
| Galatasaray | Interest confirmed by multiple sources | Ongoing negotiation |
| Atalanta | Current club, holding firm on transfer | Lookman training separately, not selected this season |
What Lies Ahead
With the Turkish transfer window set to close on 12 September, the race for Lookman’s signature enters its decisive phase. Both Fenerbahce and Galatasaray are seeking to capitalise on the market’s extended deadline, aiming to secure the Nigerian forward who remains unattached to Atalanta’s matchday squads. Whether either Turkish giant will be able to reach a breakthrough before next Friday remains to be seen, as transfer speculation intensifies in Istanbul.
