- Barcelona had two clear chances to sign Ademola Lookman but backed out both times due to finances
- Atletico Madrid moved fast when Lookman pushed to leave Atalanta and were rewarded with an explosive debut
- Lookman’s first big test now comes against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semi-final
Ademola Lookman has barely unpacked in Madrid, and he is already dominating headlines, especially as the Nigerian forward’s first outing for Atletico Madrid was good.
One goal, one assist, and a major role in another during a 5-0 demolition of Real Betis in the Copa del Rey quarter-final. It was the kind of debut that turns a new signing into a statement.
Source: Getty Images
What makes it more intriguing is who did not sign him.
According to a Spanish publication, SPORT, Barcelona had followed Lookman since 2024, especially after his Europa League final hat-trick for Atalanta against Bayer Leverkusen.
Read also
Football expert questions Ademola Lookman’s move to Atletico Madrid amidst strong debut vs Real Betis
Sporting director Deco watched that performance in person. Inside the club, he was seen as a winger who could stretch defences and inject speed into an attack that had grown predictable.
There were also personal connections as Lookman’s representatives work with Marc-André ter Stegen, and that relationship had already helped secure the goalkeeper’s renewal.
Talks were easy, trust existed, the path was open, but Barcelona still walked away.
Barcelona miss out on Lookman’s signature
In the summer of 2024, Barcelona chose other targets. Dani Olmo became the priority, and Nico Williams was chased hard, but Lookman, who would have cost less, slipped down the list.
Source: Getty Images
Financial pressure and LaLiga’s salary rules left the club unable to close any winger deal at all.
A year later, the story repeated itself.
Lookman was available again in 2025, and Barcelona showed interest but quickly ran into the same wall, Afrik-Foot reports.
Read also
Valencia star ranks Lookman among LaLiga’s finest alongside Mbappé, Yamal, Vinícius
Money forced another change of plan as their attention shifted back to Nico Williams and then to Liverpool’s Luis Díaz.
When neither move worked, they settled on a loan for Marcus Rashford as the only workable solution.
While Barcelona hesitated, Atalanta blocked a €45 million move from Inter Milan that angered Lookman as the situation turned sour.
Atletico win race for Lookman
Diego Simeone’s side did not wait for the market to calm down. They paid €35 million and brought Lookman to Madrid in the final days of the window.
The result was immediate. Lookman played with force and purpose. He drove at defenders, pressed without pause, and finished with authority. Atlético looked sharper for it.
That performance did more than send them into the Copa del Rey semi-finals, and it set up a meeting with Barcelona, the club that twice passed on him.
The tie will be played over two legs, first at the Metropolitano on February 11, then at the Olympic Stadium on March 4.
Simeone reveals Lookman’s best position
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone has explained how he plans to deploy Ademola Lookman after an impressive debut for the club on February 5, 2026.
Lookman played in a two-man attack during his debut against Real Betis and dazzled. He scored his team’s third goal and assisted his attack partner, Antoine Griezmann, for the fourth.
Source: Legit.ng