Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew made a real push for Charlton Athletic’s hugely promising young attacker.
Charlton Athletic’s Ademola Lookman in action with Fulham’s Chris Baird
It was no secret that Crystal Palace made strengthening their attacking options one of their priorities in the recent transfer window, but one player they pushed big for but ultimately failed to recruit was Charlton Athletic’s talented young forward Ademola Lookman, according to the South London press.
The Addicks’ 18-year-old was reportedly the subject of a massive £6 million bid from their rivals, which would have also seen a certain number of adds on on top of that, as Alan Pardew continued in his attempts to flesh out his squad right up to the wire on deadline day. That offer was one the final one of two made for Lookman made by Palace, but it wasn’t enough to convince Charlton and their boss Russell Slade to sell.
Charlton’s Ademola Lookman celebrates scoring
The England youth international made his breakthrough last season in what was a hugely disappointing season for the Valiants, finishing down in 22nd spot in the Championship and dropping down to League One. Lookman was undoubtedly one of the few positives for Charlton though, going on to make 24 appearances and scoring five goals as an 18-year-old, making him the club’s second top scorer and helping him win the Football League Championship Apprentice of the Year award.
Undoubtedly one of the top talents in the Football League, Lookman has made five appearances from the bench this season, scoring a late equaliser in the recent draw with Bolton.
Tottenham’s Harry Kane in action with Everton’s Phil Jagielka
His manager Russell Slade compared him to one of the best young players he worked with – Everton and England defender Phil Jagielka – in terms of talent.
“Ademola would rate highly in terms of the young players I’ve worked with,” Slade is quoted as saying by the South London Press. “I found Phil Jagielka, I got him when he was 15 and he did very well.
“On the ball, Ademola is as good as anybody – if not the best.”
Charlton Athletic’s Ademola Lookman in action with Bristol City’s Korey Smith
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