Former Paris Saint-Germain defender Godwin Okpara has defended Ademola Lookman’s choice to sign for Atletico Madrid rather than Fenerbahce in the winter transfer window, SportPremi reports.
Nigerian winger Lookman completed a €40 million move to the Spanish capital during the transfer window, finally getting his deserved exit from Italian side Atalanta.
The Spanish giants agreed a fixed €35 million fee with a further €5 million in add-ons, while reportedly offering around €6 million per season in wages.
However, Turkish side Fenerbahce reportedly offered the Super Eagles star a higher wage and were on the verge of sealing an agreement with Atalanta before Atletico Madrid joined the race.
A move to Turkey would have seen Lookman become one of the most paid players in the country and also join the likes of Victor Osimhen, Wilfried Ndidi and Paul Onuachu as Nigeria’s influence continues to grow in the country.
The 28-year-old already made his debut for the club, scoring one and providing another in Atletico’s 5-0 thrashing of Real Betis in the Copa del Rey quarterfinal, setting up a blockbuster semifinal clash against Barcelona on Thursday.
His La Liga debut didn’t go on as planned as his side were beaten 1-0 by the same opponents, who got their revenge.
Okpara defends Lookman’s decision to snub Turkey for Spain
Godwin Okpara, who played top-flight football in France and Belgium during his playing days, says Lookman made the right choice by preferring to join Atletico Madrid ahead of Fenerbahce.
“Just look at it when you look at Fenerbahçe, and look at Atletico Madrid. Even a blind person would not choose Fenerbahçe. Not that it’s not a good league. It’s a good league. But exposure is where you want to improve your game, where the whole world will see you. This is the league [La Liga]. This is the right league for him to go to”, Okpara said.
“You know, we are not saying that the Turkish league is bad, no. Would you want people to see you? People all over the world are watching La Liga. Two people are watching the Turkish league. So, I mean, nobody would take Fenerbahçe rather than going to Atletico Madrid.
So it’s the right choice. They know themselves that Lookman will not come. They just tried, and at the end of the day, he wouldn’t take them. It’s a gamble thing. I’m very happy for him. And it’s good for our nation”, the former Nigeria defender concluded.
Lookman’s next piece of action will be later on Thursday when Atletico Madrid play host to Barcelona in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal clash.
