Bayern Munich have reportedly set their sights on Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman, with a deal to sign Nicolas Jackson all but called off.
Bayern have been eyeing up attacking reinforcements in the last days of the transfer window and thought they had completed a loan deal for Chelsea striker Jackson.
However, in a dramatic twist, Jackson now appears to be returning to Stamford Bridge following Liam Delap’s hamstring injury.
Jackson has remained in Munich as he and his agent look to try and salvage the move, but it seems likely that the striker will indeed return to Chelsea unless Bayern stump up the cash for a permanent transfer.
‘Chelsea said shortly before the game that they would like the player back after we reached an agreement yesterday,’ said Bayern’s sporting director Max Eberl after Bayern’s 3-2 win over Augsburg.
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‘The current situation is that the boy is here in Munich, but we’re sending him back. That’s the current status; I can’t predict the future. I’m not in a position to act now. We would have liked to have done the medical and signed the contract, but that’s not possible now.’
The German giants, though, appear to have swiftly moved on to other targets, with The Athletic reporting that they have approached Atalanta over a loan deal for Lookman.
The 27-year-old has made clear his desire to leave the club this summer after a move to Inter Milan failed to come to fruition.
Lookman began his career at Charlton Athletic and enjoyed spells in the Premier League with Everton, Fulham and Leicester City.
But it is in the Serie A that the Nigerian international has truly blossomed, scoring 39 goals in 93 league appearances as well as helping his side win the Europa League in 2024.
The report adds that a deal between Bayern and Atalanta would include a subsantial fee as well as an option to make the move permanent next summer.
Bayern may not get a free run at Lookman, though, with Galatasaray and Tottenham also said to have approached Atalanta ahead of deadline day.
Thomas Frank’s side, in particular, appear keen to add more attacking firepower to their side after their disappointing 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday.
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