Manchester United's hopes of bringing Ademola Lookman to the club have been handed a significant boost following reports of a potential exit this summer.
Lookman has been linked with a return to England for the past 18 months with his performances in Italy. The Nigerian attacker helped Atalanta win the Europa League last season, scoring a hat-trick against German champions Bayer Leverkusen.
A potential move in the summer has been mooted recently after a public disagreement with Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini in the recent Champions League exit. Gasperini branded Lookman one of the "worst penalty takers" after he missed from the spot against Club Brugge.
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It has placed question marks over his future at the Gewiss Stadium with a move to one of Europe's top teams expected. Lookman came close to joining Paris Saint-Germain last summer but they have since signed Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Juventus have been linked with a summer move for Lookman but it's understood that Atalanta are reluctant to accept a sale to one of their Serie A rivals. Midfielder Teun Koopmeiners moved to Turin last summer and it has benefited the Old Lady.
It means a move to England is more likely to occur with a number of teams lining-up a move. United are one of the teams linked with the former Fulham and Leicester City star with him having an attractive release clause in his contract.
It's understood that the clause is worth €55million (£45.4m), a fee that could prove to be a decent piece of business to bolster Ruben Amorim's attack. However, with no European football on the cards, other clubs may have an advantage in the race.
