Ademola Lookman: Top Spanish Club Interested in Europa League Final Hero

• Ademola Lookman has caught the interest of several clubs following his UEL final heroics
• The Nigerian international has appeared on the radar of Spanish La Liga giants Barcelona
• Sporting Director Deco was impressed with Lookman's performance against Leverkusen

Following his incredible performance in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen, Spanish giants, Barcelona, are said to be interested in Atlanta forward, Ademola Lookman.

The Nigerian international netted a hat-trick against Xabi Alonso's men, ending the German Bundesliga champions' 51 unbeaten run.

Lookman's goals helped Atalanta to their first-ever continental trophy, as he also became the first player to score three goals in the competition's final.

The forward has had an uneasy rise to the peak of his career, having failed to impress at clubs like Charlton, Everton, Fulham and Leicester.

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He, however, caught the eye of a figure at the King Power Stadium, as his current coach, Gian Piero Gasperini, explained after the final had concluded. Gasperini said via Forbes:

"We had a senior manager at Atalanta (Lee Congerton) who had worked at Leicester, who saw the opportunity to bring him in and thought he was a possible useful player.

"Tonight he achieved something which will remain in the annals of football history - a stunning hat-trick."

Meanwhile, Spanish outlet SPORT claims the Barcelona sporting director Deco and co-ordinator Bojan, who were in Dublin to watch the final, were impressed by the Super Eagles playmaker.

The report added that the Catalan club are now interested in the 26-year-old, who seems to fit their project for the 2024/2025 season.

Lookman can play on either wing and also in midfield, and his current value is what the La Liga outfit can afford unless Atalanta locks him down to another deal.

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Transfermarkt rates the Europa League final hero at a more affordable $32.5 million (€30 million).

Kudus named UEL Player of the Season

Sports Brief earlier reported that Ghana and West Ham United midfielder Mohammed Kudus emerged as the 2023/24 Europa League Player of the Season.

The 23-year-old enjoyed an impressive campaign in the competition, leading West Ham to a quarter-final berth, where they lost to eventual runners-up Bayer Leverkusen.

Kudus scored five goals, including an incredible solo strike in the Round of 16 clash against Freiburg.