Serie A club demands hefty fee for coveted star Lookman amid Chelsea's Maresca interest

Atalanta have set a steep price tag of €60million (£51m) for their prized asset, Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman, as Chelsea's new boss Enzo Maresca looks to strengthen his attacking options for the upcoming season.

The 26-year-old Nigerian international has been a revelation since joining the Serie A club in 2022, scoring 32 goals in 77 matches over the past two seasons. 

His standout performance for the club, which included a historic hat-trick in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen in May, has caught the attention of several top European clubs.

According to a report from Football London, Chelsea are among the teams keen on securing Lookman's services and reportedly willing to meet Atalanta's lofty asking price. 

The Blues are keen to add the former Everton and Leicester City winger to Maresca's squad as he looks to build a formidable attack in his first season at the club.

However, Atalanta are determined to keep hold of their prized asset, with the club viewing Lookman as a key part of their future success. 

The Serie A side will, however, only consider "irrefutable" offers for the Nigerian international, as they look to retain the services of a player who has been instrumental in their recent success.

In addition to Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool have also been linked with a move for Lookman, highlighting the widespread interest in the talented forward with Premier League experience having starred for Everton and Fulham in the past. 

But with Atalanta's firm stance on their valuation, any potential suitors will have to dig deep to secure the signature of the in-demand attacker.

As the transfer window heats up, the battle for Ademola Lookman's signature could be one of the top storylines of the summer from a Nigerian point of view. 

And with Chelsea's deep pockets under Todd Boehly and Atalanta's unwavering stance, this is set to make for a fascinating negotiation process.