Atalanta Target USMNT Star As Raffaele Palladino Begins Search For Ademola Lookman Replacement
Following Ademola Lookman's deadline day departure, Atalanta have began their search for a replacement.
Louis Fargher
Updated on 03 February 2026
Atalanta are reportedly considering a summer move for USMNT star Ricardo Pepi after Ademola Lookman’s move to Atletico Madrid.
Atalanta Target USMNT Star
Raffaele Palladino has identified PSV star Ricardo Pepi as a potential Ademola Lookman replacement, after the Nigerian joined Atletico Madrid for €35million on the final day of the January window.
Lookman had been linked with a move away from Bergamo for multiple months after a public dispute last summer and finally got his wish on deadline day.
La Dea are now on the hunt for a suitable replacement, as Lookman was a vital player in the Serie A side’s attack – despite a disappointing start to the 2025/26 season.
According to reports, Atalanta have held internal discussions over a move for USMNT star Ricardo Pepi, as the 23-year-old continues to impress with PSV.
Pepi is currently out of action with a broken arm and has missed the Dutch side’s last five matches across all competitions and this injury came at a disappointing time.
The 23-year-old scored in six consecutive matches (all competitions) before suffering a forearm fracture during his goal in PSV’s 5-1 win over Excelsior on January 10th.
His performances in the Netherlands have caught the attention of sides across Europe and Atalanta are looking to battle the likes of Fulham and West Ham for Pepi’s signature this summer.
Premier League interest is not the only factor that could impact Atalanta’s chances of signing Pepi this summer, as Christian Pulisic could also play a major role.
Christian Pulisic To Play Huge Role In Pepi’s Future
Lookman’s move was one of the biggest talking points in a relatively quiet Serie A transfer window and the Nigerian agreed a four-year deal in LaLiga.
Bringing players in during the January window is a harder process than doing so in the summer, as shown by Pepi’s decision to stay in the Netherlands despite heavy interest during the opening month of 2026.
According to reports, the USMNT star is hoping to discuss his future with Christian Pulisic at the 2026 World Cup, as the two have formed a strong relationship on the international stage.
Pulisic is undoubtedly the biggest example of success for a USMNT player in Europe and the AC Milan star has paved the way for several stars to make the dive into European soccer.
The AC Milan star is a role model for every American soccer player and Pulisic is hoping to bring Pepi to San Siro this summer.
Pepi still has four-years remaining on his current deal in the Netherlands and PSV are not entertaining any offers below €25m.
Louis Fargher
Louis has been an avid soccer enthusiast for multiple years and boasts knowledge across several leagues in Europe - including Serie A. Louis holds a degree in Soccer Journalism and has produced content for multiple clubs in the United Kingdom.
Our unbiased editorial policy
Despite ongoing collaborations with commercial affiliates, the details, information, and reviews we provide remain honest and unbiased. We keep this in check by implementing a stringent editorial policy.
Our policy implements strict editorial standards, ensuring the integrity and trustworthiness of our articles, news, and reviews. Only the highest-quality content reaches our pages. We achieve this through conducting thorough research on each topic, conveyed to you using unbiased reporting, to ensure we earn your trust and keep it.
