New arrival at RB Leipzig of Germany, Ademola Lookman has been slammed by his coach at Everton of England, Sam Allardyce, as the gaffer says the youngster forced his way out of Goodison Park.
‘Big Sam’ went on to label Lokkman as a stubborn lad, and warned that the Nigerian-born winger could have made a huge mistake in defying Everton to join the German Budesliga outfit.
The England Under-21 international, who arrived from Charlton Athletic 12 months ago in a £11.5million deal, has found opportunities increasingly hard to come by under Allardyce but the Everton manager said on Monday that he would not let him leave on loan.
A number of clubs enquired about Lookman, including Celtic before they signed Charly Musonda from Chelsea, but Everton received an offer from RB Leipzig on the final day of the window and he was insistent that was the destination he wanted to go to.
Allardyce further said he is puzzled why Lookman has chosen to move to Germany, given the differences in culture and playing styles, but says he will be happy for the winger, whose contract runs until June 30, to prove him wrong.
‘It is one of the most unusual situations I’ve been in where we have got some deals for him but he was adamant he chose Germany,’ said Allardyce.
‘It is his choice. Oliver Burke (who plays for West Brom) has been there and could not wait to get away.
‘We tried to persuade him not to because I think it is a big challenge for his development with not being able to speak the language.
‘We wanted him to go out on loan to play first team football every week – there were better opportunities for that – but he was stubborn and got what he wanted. I hope he proves us all wrong. I hope that he has every success and brings it back here to us.’
