Galatasaray insider reveals how he begged club to sign Super Eagles star

A prominent Galatasaray insider has opened up on the club’s failed attempt to sign Ademola Lookman in January, revealing he personally urged executives to complete the deal before the Nigerian star moved to Spain.

Süleyman Rodop did not hide his frustration after Lookman’s dazzling display for Atletico Madrid, where he scored and assisted in a stunning 4-0 victory over Barcelona.

Lookman had been strongly linked with a move to Galatasaray during the winter transfer window before eventually sealing a switch to the Wanda Metropolitano.

Speaking after the winger’s latest standout performance, Rodop insisted the Yellow-Reds missed a golden opportunity to secure a player capable of transforming their season.

“Lookman went right through Barcelona. I’ve lost count of how many times,” Rodop was quoted as saying by habersarikirmizi.

“I called the executives during the transfer window, begging them, ‘Sign this guy, and the championship will be guaranteed.’”

Rodop believes Lookman’s pace, creativity and decisiveness would have made him a title-defining addition for the Turkish giants.

Interestingly, Galatasaray’s arch-rivals Fenerbahçe reportedly came closest to landing the former Atalanta star after reaching an agreement with the Italian club.

However, the move collapsed when they failed to provide the required bank guarantee, allowing Lookman join Atletico Madrid instead.

Rodop suggested Galatasaray were fortunate their rivals could not complete the deal. “They should be thankful that Fenerbahçe couldn’t provide the guarantee letter at the last minute,” he said.

Since arriving in Spain, Lookman has wasted no time making an impact, recording two goals and two assists in just three appearances across all competitions — further underlining what Galatasaray may have missed out on.