Italian football expert Marcelo Altamura has issued a warning to Napoli against prioritizing the signing of Nigeria international Ademola Lookman, despite the forward's impressive performances with Atalanta last season.
Altamura advised the Serie A champions to focus instead on acquiring Mattia Zaccagni and Dan Ndoye, claiming that Lookman "doesn't follow instructions" on the pitch.
Speaking to 1 Station Radio, as reported by Area Napoli, Altamura expressed concerns about Lookman's tactical discipline and team integration despite the Nigerian's stellar 2024-25 season with Atalanta.
"I would probably choose the Zaccagni–Ndoye pairing, and I'll tell you why. They are both strong and reliable players," Altamura stated. "Ndoye, on the other hand, is a player I have always liked: explosive, very technical, but also disciplined. He is not one of those 'anarchic' talents like Lookman, who scores a gem of a goal but then doesn't follow the instructions."
The expert concluded, "In short, if I could choose, I would undoubtedly opt for the two of them."
Lookman's Impressive Statistics
Despite the criticism, Lookman's numbers speak volumes about his contribution to Atalanta last season. The Nigerian international netted 15 goals and provided 5 assists across 31 Serie A appearances, making him one of the standout performers in the Italian top flight.
Lookman has been linked with a move to Napoli following his impressive performances, but Altamura's comments raise questions about whether the Nigerian's playing style would fit into Napoli's tactical setup.
The transfer speculation comes amid reports that Napoli may be looking to strengthen their attacking options for the upcoming season, with Lookman being one of several targets under consideration.
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