Two Nigerian forwards are on the verge of having transfers announced to Italy’s Serie A with news that Red Bull Leipzig player Ademola Lookman has agreed personal terms on a move to Atalanta while David Okereke’s transfer to top division newcomers Cremonese is now official. Both players spent last season on loan and Lookman boosted his profile with consistent playing time at English Premier League side Leicester City, where he scored 8 goals in 42 appearances. The 24-year-old joined RB Leipzig for just under $20 million in 2019 but failed to establish himself at the Bundesliga club before spending two seasons on loan in England with Fulham and Leicester.
Okereke’s move is confirmed from Belgium’s Club Brugge with the former Nigeria under-23 national team forward having a similar story to Lookman. After joining Brugge from Serie B side Spezia Calcio for $9 million in 2019 the 24-year-old moved on loan to Serie A club Venezia last season after two seasons in Belgium where he scored 15 goals in 71 appearances. Venezia were relegated to Serie B at the end of last season but Okereke made an impression with 7 goals in 32 league appearances, leading to his Serie A return on a permanent transfer with newly promoted Cremonese. Okereke’s move is rumored to be for around €10 million according to Football Italia.
