Ademola Lookman Tells Galatasaray to Negotiate with Atletico Madrid First Amid Victor Osimhen Transfer Push

Ademola Lookman has reportedly delivered a straightforward message to Galatasaray as the Turkish club weighs up a summer move for the Nigerian international: any transfer must begin with an agreement from Atletico Madrid.

According to Aspor, Lookman is not opposed to relocating to Istanbul or linking up with Victor Osimhen, who has reportedly been lobbying his international teammate personally to make the switch. However, the 27-year-old is said to have made clear to Galatasaray’s management that the first step is securing terms with his current employers — a position sources suggest the Istanbul club views as an encouraging sign.

Galatasaray arrive at this transfer window as champions, having clinched their record-extending 26th Süper Lig title during the 2025–26 season — their fourth consecutive league championship. The club is now reportedly assessing whether a deal for Lookman is financially viable, with the attacker currently valued at approximately €40 million.

Lookman, who is contracted to Atletico Madrid through 2030, joined the Spanish club following a prominent spell that included his standout UEFA Champions League performance for Atalanta. The length of his current contract and the significant financial commitment Atletico made to bring him to Spain are expected to complicate any negotiation, with the Madrid side unlikely to engage in a sale without considerable compensation.

The timing of Galatasaray’s pursuit coincides with significant upheaval anticipated in Atletico’s attacking department. Antoine Griezmann has played his final match under Diego Simeone, while Julian Alvarez is reportedly attracting interest from Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Arsenal. Those potential departures could influence how willing Atletico are to retain all of their current attacking options — or, alternatively, how firmly they resist selling a key asset.

Osimhen, who has been at Galatasaray on a season-long loan from Napoli, is understood to have played an active role in attempting to recruit Lookman to the club. The former Atalanta forward and Osimhen are established Nigeria teammates, and their potential combination at club level has drawn attention given both players’ output in recent seasons.

Galatasaray’s ability to complete the transfer ultimately depends on whether they can bring Atletico Madrid to the negotiating table — a step that, according to reports, has not yet taken place. The Spanish club’s stance will be a determining factor in whether a deal progresses beyond the exploratory stage.

Lookman’s reported response — direct and conditional — reflects the standard protocol for a player under a long-term contract, and signals that while the door is not closed, the path to any agreement runs through Madrid first.