Nigerian international forward Ademola Lookman reportedly signed a contract to join Turkish club Fenerbahce in January 2026 before ultimately transferring to Atletico Madrid, according to claims by Turkish journalist Ibrahim Seten.
The revelation comes amid ongoing discussions about the Super Eagles star’s winter transfer window journey. Lookman had put pen to paper on a deal with Fenerbahce and returned the signed document, leaving the Turkish club only needing to countersign and submit it to the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) for ratification.
However, Fenerbahce’s hesitation reportedly caused by prioritising the signing of French midfielder N’Golo Kante led to a three-day delay. This window of opportunity allowed Atletico Madrid to step in and secure the highly-rated forward in a deal worth €40 million plus add-ons.
“Lookman signed the contract and sent it to Fenerbahce. The only thing Fenerbahce needed to do at that stage was sign the document and submit it to the TFF,” Seten was quoted as saying.
Since joining Atletico Madrid in February 2026, Lookman has made an outstanding impact, registering nine goals and four assists in 23 appearances. His contributions have been instrumental in helping Diego Simeone’s side reach the UEFA Champions League semi-finals and the Copa del Rey final. The 28-year-old has continued his fine form in recent La Liga matches, scoring in back-to-back games.
The missed opportunity drew significant criticism from Fenerbahce supporters, as the club ultimately finished second in the Turkish Super Lig behind rivals Galatasaray.
Lookman, who previously shone at Atalanta and helped Nigeria at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations, continues to impress on the European stage and remains a key figure for the Super Eagles.