---
title: "The real reason why Tottenham snubbed Ademola Lookman – he could haunt them in Atletico clash"
canonical: "https://readtottenham.com/2026/02/28/tottenham-ademola-lookman-transfer-snub-atletico/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Vishal Subramanian"
section: "Tottenham News"
published: "2026-02-28T10:06:09Z"
modified: "2026-02-28T10:06:14Z"
---

# The real reason why Tottenham snubbed Ademola Lookman – he could haunt them in Atletico clash

**Tottenham Hotspur bolstered their ranks with the additions of Conor Gallagher and Souza in the January transfer window.**

While Gallagher was brought in to add more bite to their central midfield options, Souza’s arrival was seen as a long-term investment to provide cover and competition for the injured Destiny Udogie.

According to a report from [Tom Barclay](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/38324626/tottenham-snubbed-ademola-lookman-atletico-madrid-transfer/), Tottenham rejected the chance to sign Ademola Lookman in January before he joined Atletico Madrid, who they will face in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 in March.

And now, the real reason behind their transfer snub has emerged as he prepares to face the club he could have joined in January.

## Tottenham’s Lookman snub explained

After making a massive impression at Atalanta, Lookman was linked with big-money moves in the summer, although nothing came to fruition.

In January, however, he secured a move to Atletico as he brought the curtain down on an iconic spell in Bergamo.

A deeper dive into the aforementioned report from Barclay gives us more details on why Tottenham really passed on Lookman.

> Ademola Lookman is set to complete his move to Atlético Madrid 🦅\
> \
> The Nigerian forward scored 55 goals in 137 games for Atalanta, including a hat trick in their 2024 Europa League final victory 🏆 [pic.twitter.com/ZUJHfhSi69](https://t.co/ZUJHfhSi69)
>
> — B/R Football (@brfootball) [February 2, 2026](https://twitter.com/brfootball/status/2018349362242297915?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Despite the need for more quality in the squad, Tottenham were wary of adding more players to their squad as it could create problems when all their players return from injury.

**Read More:** [Marco Silva confirms ‘big’ Fulham injury blow ahead of Tottenham clash](https://readtottenham.com/2026/02/28/kevin-fulham-injury-tottenham-news/)

Anyone signed had to make sense for the present and the future. And while Lookman’s quality is unquestionable, he probably wasn’t seen as a transformative signing to warrant having to omit other players from their Champions League squad for the knockout, which is why Spurs passed on him.

## Lookman could haunt Tottenham in the knockout

As fate would have it, Tottenham are set to face Atletico in the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League.

Lookman will undoubtedly take centre stage due to the transfer saga, while Gallagher’s participation will be another intriguing subplot, having just swapped Madrid for North London.

The Nigerian is no stranger to the Premier League, having represented Everton, Fulham and Leicester City over the years.

> Champions League nights at the Metropolitano ✨ [pic.twitter.com/uChUWS7cAm](https://t.co/uChUWS7cAm)
>
> — Ademola Lookman (@Alookman\_) [February 24, 2026](https://twitter.com/Alookman_/status/2026423748031553827?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

He has made an immediate impact at the Wanda Metropolitano, recording seven goal contributions in as many games for Diego Simeone’s side so far.

**Read More:** [Sources close to Tottenham reveal ‘top target’ to replace Guglielmo Vicario in the summer](https://readtottenham.com/2026/02/27/sources-close-to-tottenham-reveal-top-target-to-replace-guglielmo-vicario-in-the-summer/)

Lookman cost Atletico around £31m, which isn’t an outrageous fee for a player of his calibre and experience.

He could rub salt into the wounds of the Tottenham faithful when they face Atleti in March, especially with Igor Tudor’s side currently suffering due to injuries and their poor league form.