LOOKMAN STAYS AT ATALANTA AS INTER WALK AWAY

By: Gyang Dakwo

Ademola Lookman will remain at Atalanta after Inter Milan pulled out of negotiations for his transfer. The Nigerian forward had pushed hard to leave, yet Atalanta refused to let him go unless their high demands were met.

Inter made two offers for Lookman this summer. The first was around €40 million, and the second was close to €45 million with bonuses, but the club from Bergamo rejected both bids.

Atalanta insisted on receiving €50 million up front, and this firm stance forced Inter to end talks.

Lookman had been determined to join the Nerazzurri. He even handed in a transfer request and stayed away from training for several days in order to make his case.

He spent much of August in London, waiting for progress in the deal, but nothing changed. Atalanta’s chief later confirmed both Inter’s bid and Lookman’s request to leave, while stressing that the timing and value of transfers are always decided by the club.

Although Inter were his first choice, Lookman had other suitors. Napoli offered him a more lucrative salary, but he turned it down because he wanted only Inter.

Atletico Madrid also expressed interest, but their chances of signing him were complicated by his expected absence during the Africa Cup of Nations.

Reports in England even linked him with Arsenal, yet he rejected the idea because his heart was set on a move to San Siro.

After weeks of speculation, Inter finally changed direction. Italian media reported that Lookman is no longer a priority signing for the club.

The collapse of negotiations left him with no option but to return to Bergamo, where he has now joined new coach Ivan Juric for late pre-season training.

Despite the transfer setback, Lookman’s reputation remains strong. Since arriving at Atalanta in 2022 from RB Leipzig, he has grown into one of Europe’s most exciting forwards.

His crowning moment came in May 2024, when he scored a hat-trick in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen, leading Atalanta to their first major European trophy.

He was later crowned African Footballer of the Year, confirming his rise as one of Nigeria’s brightest stars.

For now, the 27-year-old will stay in Bergamo, even if reluctantly, as Atalanta continue to value him as a key figure for the season ahead.