Serie A champions AC Milan have identified Nigeria international, Ademola Lookman, as the perfect replacement for Portuguese forward, Rafael Leao, who has caught the interest of English Premier League giants, Chelsea and a host of other top European clubs and could be on his way out of the San Siro this January.

There have been high speculations that Chelsea are looking to sign the Portugal international who is contracted to Milan till June 2024. Although contract talks between the Italian giants and the 23-year-old has stalled in recent weeks, Milan front office are confident that the player would sign a new contract with the Rossoneri.

Should Milan lose out on retaining Leao, the club have set their sight on Lookman who has begun life in Italy on a bright note scoring seven goals and providing two assists for Atalanta in 15 league games.

Although Lookman is currently valued at €20m according to respected football statistics website Transfermarkt, the club would only be willing to let go of the in-form forward for €35m. The 25-year-old joined Atalanta for €10m from German Bundesliga side RB Leipzig after a successful loan spell at English Premier League side Leicester City in the 2021/22 season. 

With seven goals to his name this season, Lookman is the third joint top scorer in the Serie A behind Bologna’s Marko Arnautovic and Napoli’s Victor Osimhen. 

Paying Atalanta in the region of €35m will be a good deal for the Lookman as Milan are set on selling Leao for as much as €100m. Leao joined Milan from Lille in 2019.