Italian Serie A outfit Atalanta have placed a hefty €50 million transfer fee on Ademola Lookman after Napoli expressed keen interest in the reigning African Footballer of the Year.

According to Il Mattino, the Naples-based club is preparing a bid for the Nigerian international as they look to revamp their squad ahead of their return to the UEFA Champions League next season.

The Partenopei are inches away from securing their second Scudetto title in three seasons, provided they defeat Cagliari in their final Serie A fixture this weekend.

An Italian publication reports that La Dea will not entertain any bid below the €50 million asking price.

"An attempt to sign Lookman will be made," the paper wrote but warned that "Atalanta asks for at least €50 million."

"Napoli are expected to make an attempt to sign Ademola Lookman, although Atalanta are demanding at least €50 million for the Nigerian forward," the publication added.

"Sporting director Giovanni Manna has a transfer budget of €200 million to strengthen the squad and make the team competitive in the UEFA Champions League.

"As the transfer window intensifies, Manna is also pushing to secure a response from Kevin De Bruyne as soon as possible."

Lookman has been in impressive form for Atalanta this season, scoring 20 goals in 37 appearances across all competitions for Gian Piero Gasperini's side.

This is the first time the 27-year-old has reached this goalscoring milestone.

WDN