In the build-up to this summer, countless players have been linked to Crystal Palace, now one target looks unlikely to come off.
This summer, it’s been looking as though Crystal Palace are in line for a busy one with the links heating up over the past month or so.
A lot of the links have been aimed at potential forwards who could replace either Eberechi Eze or Michael Olise in the event they were to be sold this summer.
There are multiple excellent choices for this should it end up happening however, there is one who has surely just put himself beyond the grasp of Dougie Freedman after his latest performance.
Ademola Lookman surely won’t be coming to Crystal Palace now
One player Palace were looking keen on ahead of the summer was Atalanta’s 10/10 forward Ademola Lookman. Reports earlier this year tipped the Eagles to be looking at a deal of around £24m to sign the Nigerian international.
This would’ve been an excellent move, with the forward scoring 15 goals this season along with seven assists as he established himself as a star for Atalanta.
But on Wednesday night, his star may have got too bright for Oliver Glasner‘s side to be able to convince Atalanta to part ways with their Europa League-winning forward.
Lookman bagged a hattrick in the final in Dublin while being labelled as an “unbelievable” player for his contributions in the game which handed Bayer Leverkusen their first loss of the campaign.
After being the hero in a cup final, there’s surely no chance he’d be allowed to leave, and even if he was, the asking price would no doubt have multiplied.
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Dougie Freedman will have to look at alternatives
With Lookman likely to be off the table, Freedman will have to focus on alternatives, of which, Palace have been linked to plenty. Luckily for Palace, the future of Freedman also now looks settled amid recent reports which will help in the recruitment this summer.
Top of this list of potential alternatives should be Hull City’s mercurial talent Jaden Philogene, who would be a signing right in Freedman’s speciality department.
Juventus’ Matias Soule is another option after the terrific season that he’s had for Frosinone on loan, although there is a chance Juventus may want to keep him.
The final real option who’s so far been linked is Norwich City’s Jonathan Rowe in a move which could replicate Freedman’s past excellent Championship recruitment.
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