Olusesan Oba
Former Super Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro, has weighed in on the debate between Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen, stating that Lookman is the more technically skilled player.
Peseiro, who recently led Nigeria to a second-place finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast, shared his insights into the two forwards, both of whom he coached during his time with the national team.
Amidst recent transfer speculation linking both players to Arsenal, Peseiro offered his perspective on why the Gunners should consider signing Lookman over Osimhen.
“Ademola has a higher level of technical ability compared to Osimhen,” Peseiro told SportItalia, as reported by Football London. “He’s more creative in building the game and has also become a consistent scorer. He’s having an excellent season.”
Peseiro praised Lookman’s development under Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini, noting that the forward’s improvement is evident in his consistent performances. “Ademola’s growth this season is not a coincidence. Both he and Osimhen are thriving because they play in teams like Atalanta and Napoli that emphasize possession and attacking football. Such environments elevate their excitement and performance,” Peseiro added.
Reports from SportItalia indicate that Arsenal is preparing a substantial £42.5 million offer, plus defender Jakub Kiwior, to lure Lookman away from Atalanta. This bid comes despite Lookman reportedly nearing a move to PSG, a development that saw him excluded from Atalanta’s first two games of the season.
According to Sky Sports Deutschland, Lookman has already agreed to personal terms with PSG. However, Arsenal could still swoop in with a more enticing offer or potentially secure him on a loan deal with an option to buy.
Meanwhile, Arsenal is also reportedly back in the hunt for Osimhen. The Nigerian striker, a key player in Napoli’s Serie A-winning campaign, is attracting interest from both Arsenal and Chelsea. Negotiations with Napoli are ongoing, but it remains unclear which London club will succeed in landing Osimhen.
