Ademola Lookman, the Nigerian winger currently playing for Atalanta, has taken to social media to express his discontent after the Italian club rejected Inter Milan’s latest bid for his services. Lookman, who was crowned African Footballer of the Year, has reportedly agreed personal terms with Inter and is keen to make the switch to San Siro. However, Atalanta’s refusal to budge on their €60 million asking price has created a rift between the player and the club, leading to Lookman’s demonstrative act of unfollowing Atalanta on Instagram and deleting all club-related posts, including his profile picture. This digital outburst underscores the escalating tension and signals Lookman’s desire to force a move away from Bergamo. The winger’s frustration is palpable, as he seeks to capitalize on his impressive form and secure a transfer to a club competing at the highest level.
The rejected bid from Inter, totaling €42 million with an additional €3 million in add-ons, fell short of Atalanta’s valuation. This marked the second rejected offer from Inter, following an initial €40 million bid that was also dismissed. Atalanta’s firm stance stems partly from their contractual obligation to pay RB Leipzig a percentage of any profit made on Lookman’s transfer, a clause agreed upon during his move from the German club in 2022. This financial commitment compels Atalanta to maximize their return on the player, hence their insistence on the full €60 million. The club’s position, while financially prudent, has placed them at odds with their star player, who is now openly agitating for a move.
The dramatic social media actions from Lookman highlight the player’s disappointment and growing impatience with the situation. His desire to join Inter Milan is evident, and he is seemingly using social media as a platform to pressure Atalanta into accepting a lower offer. This public display of dissent is a significant development in the ongoing transfer saga, suggesting that Lookman is willing to take a stand and potentially escalate the situation to secure his desired move. The unfollowing of Atalanta on Instagram and the removal of all related posts are symbolic gestures reflecting the breakdown in the relationship between the player and the club.
The transfer saga surrounding Lookman comes amidst a period of significant achievement for the Nigerian international. Since joining Atalanta from RB Leipzig for €10.8 million, Lookman has become a key figure for the Italian side, scoring 52 goals in 118 appearances. He played a pivotal role in Atalanta’s historic Europa League triumph, scoring a memorable hat-trick in the final against Bayer Leverkusen, securing the club’s first-ever European title. This remarkable achievement, coupled with his consistent performances, culminated in him being awarded the prestigious CAF African Footballer of the Year award, succeeding his compatriot Victor Osimhen. These successes make his desire for a move to a more prominent club, such as Inter Milan, understandable.
With Atalanta standing firm on their asking price, Inter Milan are now reportedly considering alternative targets. Meanwhile, several Premier League clubs are also monitoring the situation, aware of the fee required to pry Lookman away from Atalanta. This interest from England adds another layer of complexity to the transfer saga, offering Lookman potential alternative destinations should the move to Inter Milan fail to materialize. The combination of Lookman’s public discontent, Atalanta’s financial obligations, and the interest from other clubs creates a complex and dynamic situation.
Lookman’s absence from Atalanta’s pre-season friendly against RB Leipzig further fuels speculation surrounding his future. This omission could be interpreted as a precautionary measure to avoid any potential injury that could jeopardize a transfer, or it could be a further indication of the strained relationship between the player and the club. Regardless of the reason, his absence from the squad is a notable development and adds further fuel to the ongoing transfer speculation. The coming days and weeks will likely be decisive in determining Lookman’s future, with all parties involved keen to resolve the situation before the transfer window closes. The player’s social media actions, combined with the ongoing negotiations and interest from other clubs, ensure that this transfer saga will continue to capture headlines in the football world.
