Roma Monitor Ademola Lookman as January Transfer Plans Take Shape
Roma are assessing ways to strengthen their attack ahead of the January transfer window, and Ademola Lookman has emerged as a name to watch. The Nigerian forward is not the only player on the club’s radar: reports have also linked Roma with Real Madrid youngster Endrick. But Lookman’s experience in Serie A, his familiarity with manager Gian Piero Gasperini, and uncertainty over his role at Atlético Madrid could make him an especially intriguing transfer possibility.
According to La Repubblica, Roma are following Lookman’s situation closely as he adjusts to life in Madrid. Atlético coach Diego Simeone still regards the forward as a useful member of his squad, but Lookman’s place in the starting lineup appears less secure than it once did. For Roma, that shift may create an opportunity—though a January deal would depend on Atlético’s plans, the player’s wishes, and the financial terms involved.
Lookman’s Atlético role has become less certain
Lookman has made 15 appearances across La Liga and the Champions League this season, recording two goals and one assist. He has started nine league matches, but has yet to earn a place in Atlético’s European starting lineup. Recent team selections have also suggested that competition for attacking positions is intensifying.
Álex Baena has moved ahead of Lookman in the pecking order in recent games, while the Nigerian was left on the bench for the full match against Barcelona. It was the first time this season he had watched an entire fixture without entering the game. That decision does not, by itself, signal a breakdown between player and club. Simeone has not publicly discarded Lookman, and Atlético continue to value his pace, direct running, and ability to threaten defenders in one-on-one situations.
Still, the contrast with Lookman’s previous impact is notable. After joining Atlético from Atalanta in January, he scored nine goals in 24 appearances between his arrival and the end of the season. His current output is more modest, and fewer starts could prompt him to consider whether Madrid remains the best place to maintain his momentum.
A familiar link with Gasperini could appeal to Roma
Lookman’s history with Italian football is one of the strongest arguments in Roma’s favor. Before moving to Atlético, he became a major figure at Atalanta, where he registered 55 goals and 27 assists in 137 matches. His performances helped establish him as one of Serie A’s most dangerous attacking players, particularly when given space to attack from wide areas or drift into central scoring positions.
He also knows Roma manager Gasperini well. Their working relationship was not always calm, and the pair reportedly had heated exchanges during their time together in Bergamo. Yet the professional results were significant: Lookman developed into a more decisive and complete forward under Gasperini’s demanding system. That shared experience could make a return to the coach’s methods easier than adapting to an entirely new tactical environment.
The highlight of Lookman’s Atalanta career came in the Europa League final in Dublin, where he scored a hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen to secure the club’s first major European trophy. The performance showed his capacity to deliver on the biggest stage—a quality Roma would value as they look to add more cutting edge and versatility to their attack.
Roma sporting director D’Amico is reported to have Lookman firmly on his list of potential targets. The club’s interest, however, should be understood as monitoring rather than evidence that a transfer is already close. Lookman has not requested to leave Atlético, and there has been no reported fan protest calling for his departure. Any decision is likely to depend on how his minutes develop and whether the player believes a move would offer a clearer role.
Atlético may need to balance interest in multiple forwards
Roma are not the only club keeping tabs on Atlético’s attacking options. Alexander Sørloth, the Norwegian striker born in 1995, is also attracting attention in the transfer market and has been linked with Juventus. His reported valuation is in the region of €25 million to €30 million.
Atlético are unlikely to approve a significant January departure without considering the wider effect on their squad. Reports indicate the club may be prepared to let only one of Sørloth or Lookman leave, and only if the conditions are right and a replacement can be found. That approach would help Simeone avoid weakening his attacking depth midway through the season.
Lookman’s transfer would also involve a considerable financial calculation. Atlético paid Atalanta €35 million, with a further €5 million in potential bonuses, when they signed him in January. His reported salary is approximately €6 million gross per year, plus bonuses, and his contract runs until 2030. Those figures give Atlético a strong negotiating position and could make a permanent deal difficult for Roma unless the clubs agree on a suitable structure.
Roma transfer prediction: an opportunity, not a certainty
For Roma, Lookman represents a compelling blend of proven Serie A production, tactical familiarity, and Champions League experience. He can operate across the forward line, carry the ball at speed, and create chances as well as finish them. Those qualities could complement the club’s existing attackers and give Gasperini another player capable of changing a match from the bench or starting in a high-intensity system.
The main uncertainty is timing. Atlético may prefer to keep Lookman unless his role shrinks further, while Roma would need to assess whether the transfer cost fits their January budget and squad priorities. The player’s own position will matter just as much: limited minutes could encourage him to explore a move, but there is currently no indication that he has formally asked to leave.
Prediction: Roma are likely to continue tracking Lookman rather than rush into an immediate bid. If his playing time remains restricted and Atlético identify a replacement, the transfer could become more realistic. Until then, the situation is best viewed as a developing market opportunity—not a confirmed move—with Roma’s familiarity with the player and Gasperini’s connection offering a persuasive sporting case.
