Brendan Rodgers claims he wanted to bring Ademola Lookman to Celtic during his time at Parkhead as he finally prepares to work with the winger.
Rodgers enjoyed almost three great years as Celtic boss, winning two domestic trebles during his time at the club.
Some of the recruitment was great – Moussa Dembele, Scott Sinclair, Odsonne Edouard – but some signings were head-scratchers, like Marian Shved, Vakoun Issouf Bayo and Marvin Compper.
But what about a player that Celtic just weren’t able to sign for Rodgers?
In January 2018, The Daily Mail reported that Celtic asked to take Ademola Lookman on loan from Everton before signing Charly Musonda from Chelsea.
Everton ended up sending Lookman on loan to RB Leipzig, where he moved permanently a year later in a huge £22.5million deal.
Lookman spent last season back in the Premier League with Fulham, and is now out on loan again, this time with Leicester City.
That of course means Lookman is finally working with Rodgers after all, and the Northern Irishman has opened up on his Celtic pursuit.
Rodgers has told the Leicester Mercury that he did indeed want to sign Lookman at Celtic, but it just didn’t happen.
Rodgers noted that Lookman is a ‘top talent’, even claiming that he knew of Lookman eight years ago when he was in youth football with Waterloo.
“I’m really excited about working with Ade. He’s a top talent,” said Rodgers. “I wanted to take him to Celtic when he was at Charlton. I was aware of him when he was 15.”
“He has all the tools, he has a great dribbling ability, how he views the game, he has an eye for a goal. My hope is that this environment will give him a chance to flourish. Hopefully he can find a home here. I have no doubt the supporters will be excited by him,” he added.
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