Al Ahli SC is focusing on Nigerian winger Ademola Lookman to fill the void left by Allan Saint-Maximin, who recently joined Fenerbahçe on loan. The Saudi Pro League club is eager to secure Lookman’s services to bolster their attacking options for the upcoming season.
Allan Saint-Maximin, who arrived at Al Ahli last summer, has moved to Fenerbahçe, leaving a crucial gap in Al Ahli’s lineup.
To address this, the club has identified Ademola Lookman as their primary target. Lookman, who had a standout season with Atalanta Bergamo, scored 17 goals and provided 9 assists.
His remarkable performance, including a hat-trick in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen, played a key role in securing Atalanta’s first European trophy.
The former Fulham player has attracted interest from several top English clubs, including Manchester United, Chelsea, and Liverpool.
Despite this, Al Ahli remains optimistic about their chances. The club has already initiated talks with Lookman’s representatives, and negotiations are reportedly progressing well.
Lookman is under contract with Atalanta until June 2026, and the Italian club is unlikely to let him go for less than €60 million.
Should the pursuit of Lookman fail, Al Ahli has prepared contingency plans. The club is also targeting Tottenham Hotspur’s Son Heung-min and Juventus’ Federico Chiesa.
Both players have expressed an interest in joining the Saudi Pro League, and Al Ahli has begun preliminary discussions with their respective camps.
Son Heung-min, a South Korean star, and Federico Chiesa, an Italian international, are seen as viable alternatives to strengthen Al Ahli’s squad.
However, securing their signatures would depend on the financial demands of Tottenham and Juventus, respectively.
This summer, Al Ahli has been relatively conservative in their spending compared to other Saudi clubs.
Despite high-profile names like Riyad Mahrez and Franck Kessie on their roster, the club has not yet made any significant signings during the current transfer window.
The management is keen to make strategic additions rather than splurging indiscriminately.
The focus on Lookman underscores Al Ahli’s strategy of targeting players with proven European experience and significant potential.
Lookman’s successful stint in Serie A and his ability to perform on big stages make him an ideal candidate to replace Saint-Maximin.
As the transfer window progresses, Al Ahli’s fans eagerly await updates on the club’s efforts to strengthen the squad.
The potential addition of Lookman, or alternatively Son or Chiesa, could significantly enhance the team’s prospects in the upcoming season.
In conclusion, Al Ahli SC’s pursuit of Ademola Lookman reflects their ambition to compete at the highest levels.
Whether they succeed in landing Lookman or turn to their alternative targets, the club’s careful approach in the transfer market aims to build a team capable of achieving sustained success in the Saudi Pro League and beyond.
