Lookman Is Out Of Favour At Atletico, And Roma Are Watching

Sports

Lagos · Thursday 12 November 2026

Ademola Lookman is struggling for minutes at Atletico Madrid, and Roma are reportedly monitoring his situation ahead of the January transfer window. Roma are coached by Gian Piero Gasperini, who managed Lookman at Atalanta.

football player bench substitute Photograph by Richard Boyle via Unsplash.

How quickly it turned

In September this site wrote about Lookman winning a Madrid derby and earning Diego Simeone's praise by name. Two months later he was an unused substitute in Atletico's 2-1 defeat to Barcelona before the international break, and is increasingly used only at half-time or left out of the matchday squad.

Lookman's last year
February 2026	Leaves Atalanta for Atletico after a contract dispute
September	Wins a derby, praised by Simeone
November	On the fringes, linked with Roma

Roma are third in Serie A and unbeaten in the league this season.

The Gasperini question. Lookman and Gasperini parted on poor terms at Atalanta. They also produced the best football of his career together, including a European final hat-trick. Players and coaches with that history sometimes reunite precisely because each knows what the other can do.

For a Nigerian winger, regular minutes matter more than the badge on the shirt.

Why it matters for the Super Eagles

Nigeria have two must-win qualifiers against Tanzania this month, and a winger short of club minutes is a worry for any national team. January cannot come soon enough if the bench at Atletico is where he stays. Simeone, for his part, has not publicly given up on him.

Reporting: Legit.ng, Goal and Roma Press.

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