Barcelona Nearly Secured Atletico Madrid’s New Winter Signing Twice Before
Barcelona is set to clash with Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey semifinals. This highly anticipated matchup will unfold over two legs, with the first taking place soon in the Spanish capital.
Atletico Madrid’s New Signing Shines
Atletico Madrid recently celebrated an impressive victory against Real Betis, scoring five goals. A highlight of this match was the explosive debut of their new signing, Ademola Lookman.
Lookman joined Atletico for €35 million and made an immediate impact with a goal and an assist in his first performance under coach Diego Simeone.
Barcelona’s Interest in Lookman
Interestingly, Barcelona had previously expressed interest in Lookman. According to a report by SPORT, the Catalan club attempted to secure him before his signing with Atletico Madrid.
- Barcelona’s interest in Lookman dates back to 2024.
- Barcelona prioritized signing Dani Olmo at that time.
- The club also aimed to acquire Nico Williams but ultimately did not sign a winger.
Despite having multiple opportunities to recruit him, Barcelona could not finalize the transfer. Last summer, their focus shifted as they opted for Marcus Rashford on loan instead. Atalanta’s firm stance on retaining Lookman made a transfer unlikely, especially after rejecting higher offers from other clubs.
The Upcoming Semifinal
Now, with Lookman donning Atletico’s colors, Barcelona will face him in the upcoming Copa del Rey semifinal. This match will not only test Barcelona’s resolve but also highlight the player they nearly secured but ultimately passed on.
As preparations continue, fans eagerly await the outcome of this thrilling semifinal encounter.
