Chelsea told ex-Fulham flop will cost them £50m as Man Utd and Liverpool battle for star

Chelsea have reportedly been told that a move for former Fulham winger Ademola Lookman will cost them a staggering £50million. The Blues have turned their attention to a new forward after missing out on Bayern Munich-bound Michael Olise.

Bayern have won the race to sign Olise after triggering the Frenchman’s £60m release clause at Crystal Palace. He is set to undergo a medical with the Bundesliga club, having snubbed interest from Chelsea and Manchester United.

Chelsea are now reportedly interested in bringing Lookman back to the Premier League this summer. The 26-year-old has shone for Atalanta over the last two seasons and scored a hat-trick in their Europa League victory over Bayer Leverkusen.

According to Italian publication Calciomercato, Chelsea have been told that a deal for Lookman will cost them £50m. Man Utd and Liverpool are reportedly also interested in a move for the ex-Leicester, Everton and Charlton player.

Lookman scored only eight goals in a combined 83 appearances for Fulham and Everton. He scored eight times in 42 games during a fruitful spell at Leicester.

But the Nigeria international’s career has finally taken off on the continent. He has 32 goals and 18 assists in 78 appearances for Atalanta, who he joined from RB Leipzig in 2022. His three goals against Leverkusen sealed the Italian club’s first European trophy.

Chelsea’s interest in Lookman comes after they missed out to Bayern for Olise. The Blues initially felt confident that they could sign the 22-year-old despite him turning down the opportunity to move to Stamford Bridge 12 months ago.

Olise is understood to have opted for Bayern in part due to their participation in next season’s Champions League. No Premier League club who took a serious interest in signing him this summer qualified for the elite European competition.

The former Reading winger scored 10 goals and provided six assists in only 19 Premier League appearances last season. His game time was limited by a succession of hamstring problems.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have also been linked with a move for Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams. According to Sky Italia, the 21-year-old has a £46m release clause inserted into his contract with the La Liga outfit.

Williams has shone for Spain at Euro 2024 this summer. Luis de la Fuente’s side are considered to be among the contenders to win the tournament in Germany.