Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini has surprising pick for 2024 Ballon d’Or

Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini confidently stated that Nigerian forward Ademola Look man deserves to win the 2024 Ballon d'Or award.

Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini has surprising pick for 2024 Ballon d’Or

Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini backed Ademola Lookman to win the 2024 Ballon d'Or. (via GOAL)

Serie A side Atalanta’s manager Gian Piero Gasperini surprisingly picked club forward Ademola Lookman to win the Ballon d’Or this year. Lookman is one of the names on the 30-man 2024 Ballon d’Or shortlist, to be awarded this month.

Lookman is the only African player to feature on the list for the prestigious individual award this year, after a stellar season with both club and country. The 26-year-old forward helped Nigeria reach the final of the Africa Cup of Nations, eventually losing to Ivory Coast.

For Atalanta, he scored 17 goals and provided nine assists in all competitions last season. Moreover, his three goals against Bayer Leverkusen in the final of the Europa League helped them clinch the title, marking their first ever European honor.

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Despite his impressive feats, the Nigerian forward looks far away from winning the Ballon d’Or, with Vinicius Jr., Jude Bellingham and Rodri among the front-runners.

However, Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini, in spite of the odds, still exclaimed that he would vote for Lookman and also claimed that he deserves to win the award. The 26-year-old forward is also one of the contenders to win the CAF Footballer of the Year award, alongside Mohamed Salah and fellow Nigerian Victor Boniface.  

My personal Ballon d’Or vote would go to Ademola Lookman. His magic skills helped us to win the Europa League.

Gian Piero Gasperini on 2024 Ballon d’Or winner (via Sky)

Ademola Lookman has continued his superb form this season, having scored three goals and provided three assists in seven matches for Atalanta. He has been joined by Italian star Mateo Retegui in the attack, who has scored seven goals in just ten appearances.

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PSG and Arsenal reignite interest in signing talented Atalanta forward in the next transfer window

Several clubs were interested in signing Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman this summer but attempts to strike a deal with the player failed. He is now expected to be among the most sought-after players during the next transfer window, after an impressive start to the season.

Atalanta Ademola Lookman transfer
Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman is being targeted by PSG and Arsenal. (via GOAL)

PSG hope to secure the 26-year-old’s signature in January next year to fill the void left by Kylian Mbappe. The Ligue 1 side’s recent defeat to Arsenal in the UCL, showed the gaps in the team’s attacking unit. Lookman could help solve these issues. However, a deal for the ex-Everton star could cost up to €75 million, something that the French giants might be reluctant to pay.

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Lookman is also on the radar of Premier League giants Arsenal, who are still in the search for a center-forward. The Emirates could be a more viable option for the forward, and he could replace the out-of-form Gabriel Jesus.