Fulham doles out £22.5m intensify chase for Lookman

 

Fulham are intensifying the chase for Nigeria born England junior international Ademola Lookman.

The cottagers are hoping that the £22.5m they have placed on the table can convince Bundesliga side RB Leipzig to agree to the move.

The Bundesliga side snapped up the 22 year-old, who started his career at Charlton, after a previous successful loan spell at Leipzig.

But his second stint has not gone to plan with Lookman starting just once in the league last season.

Fulham have lost all three of their league games this season since their return to the Premier League.

They have strengthened their goalkeeping department with the addition of Alphonse Areola, their full-backs by bringing in Antonee Robinson, Kenny Tete and Ola Aina and in central midfield with Mario Lemina. Harrison Reed and Anthony Knockaert also had their loan moves made permanent.

And vice chairman Tony Khan confirmed they are determined to continue strengthening, particularly in defence, after their humbling 3-0 home defeat to Aston Villa on Monday.

He said: ‘I apologize to Fulham supporters for our performance tonight. We’ve looked to add centre-backs since Wembley.

‘I’m sorry we haven’t yet as two got Covid and we lost a free we thought was close and had another issue with a fourth centre-back. ‘I promise players in and better efforts from this squad.’

Lookman who is eligible to play for national teams of Nigeria and England was selected for England U-20 team for the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

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He scored three goals in the tournament, two against Costa Rica in the last 16 and one goal against Italy in the semi-finals.

Lookman reportedly turned down an opportunity to switch allegiance to Nigeria after an approach from the national coach, Gernot Rohr.