Reports emanating from local media have it that Turkish giants Besiktas are interested in the services of Super Eagles hopeful Ademola Lookman who is currently having a wretched time at RB Leipzig in the German Bundesliga.
The 22 year old winger has only managed a pitiful 6 out 25 league matches and just 1 out of 8 games in the Uefa champions league.
His permanent transfer to Leipzig this season was celebrated as the beginning of greatness for the London born speedster but it has gone south.
So, why hasn't it worked out for the promising support striker?
Ademola Lookman had enjoyed considerable success in his first stint at Leipzig on loan during the second half of the 2017/18 season. Out of a possible 14 matches, Lookman played 11 games, scoring 5 goals (1 goal per 2 games) and providing 3 assists.
At the back of such productive period, it was a no-brainer for the England World Cup winner at under 20 level to choose to go back to Germany. Sadly, he was not to know that a change in approach, tactics, orientation and formation of the coach this time around would mean that he would be nowhere as successful as he was the last time.
In truth, Lookman style of play does not appear to fit in current coach Julian Nagelsmann's formation this season, hence why he’s been benched mostly.
When the Super Eagles hopeful first went on loan to the club, Julian wasn’t the coach then. The former coach's formation was more of 4-2-3-1 make-up which permitted Lookman time and space on the wings and 24 year old German forward Timo Werner as the Lone Striker.
But since Julian replaced Ralph Hasenhüttl (who now manages English Premer League side Southampton), it’s been more of Timo Werner moving to be part of a two-man attacking line up in like a 4-4-2 formation.
Mostly, Julian lines up midfielders in the middle 4 thereby keeping Lookman on the bench most times. It would appear that this coach prefers midfield-oriented players to out-and-out wingers (which is Lookman's forte).
It is rather unfortunate.
Indeed, having seen Lookman’s dribbling abilities, purposeful play, delicate technique and dynamism at the final third, it a waste of abundant talent to see such a pedigree languish on the bench.
It is time to move!
And this time, Lookman and his agents should be wary so that he doesn’t – for the second season in a row – find himself in a club whose coach’s philosophy are at odds with what he has to offer.
It is time for Lookman to shine (again).