Atalanta At The ‘Point Of No Return' As Lookman Holds Them To Agreement & Demands Inter Milan Transfer

Yahoo

12 hours ago

Atalanta are at the 'point of no return' with Ademola Lookman after the forward very publicly held them to a behind-the-scenes agreement.
This according to today's print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews. They even claim that La Dea had informally promised that the Nigerian could leave for €35-40 million.
Yesterday the biggest bombshell yet in the summer transfer soap opera between Ademola Lookman, Atalanta, and Inter Milan arrived.
Behind the scenes, the 27-year-old former RB Leipzig forward has been pressuring Atalanta into selling him. By all accounts, he only wants Inter this summer.
Lookman had already scrubbed all traces of his current employers from his social media accounts a couple days prior. That was not exactly a subtle way to send a message.
But yesterday, Lookman took his grievance to a new level. He openly demanded a transfer. Furthermore, there were harsh words as the player accused Atalanta of 'poor treatment' and 'breaking a promise.'
Atalanta Held To Agreement By Ademola Lookman
BERGAMO, ITALY – JANUARY 18: Ademola Lookman of Atalanta BC looks on during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and SSC Napoli at Gewiss Stadium on January 18, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by)
The Corriere dello Sport report that Lookman's fury stems from a promise that he'd received from Atalanta.
The Bergamo club may not have made anything official. But after last summer, when they had turned down an offer from Paris Saint-Germain for Nigerian, they made a gentleman's agreement with the player.
Lookman stayed at the Gewiss Arena somewhat reluctantly last season. But it was with the understanding that he would have the green light to leave this summer.
Lookman alludes in his public transfer request to an agreement that he could leave for a 'fair' offer.
According to the Corriere dello Sport, the 27-year-old's representatives had discussed a figure of around €35-40 million with Atalanta.
That would be something of a compromise. It would be sufficient that Atalanta would still make a healthy profit – even with the sell-on fee they owe to RB Leipzig.
And at the same time, such an amount would not deter a club of Lookman's choosing from making an offer.
Therefore, the Corriere notes, Lookman had hoped to hold Atalanta to that this summer.
After agreeing personal terms with Inter, Lookman's representatives advised the Nerazzurri to make an offer of €40 million.
Inter did so. And Atalanta rejected that initial bid. So the Nerazzurri increased their offer to €45 million with add-ons.
Once again, La Dea rejected this second offer.
Atalanta At The Point Of No Return With Lookman
BERGAMO, ITALY – MAY 25: Ademola Lookman of Atalanta BC looks on during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Parma Calcio 1913 at Gewiss Stadium on May 25, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by)
And this has left Lookman furious, and feeling that he had not option but to hold Atalanta to their agreement much more publicly.
As the Corriere dello Sport note, Lookman's drive is not financial. He's ready to accept lower wages at Inter than he could have gotten at Napoli, or on even an extension with Atalanta.
Furthermore, Atalanta have been incredibly cagey in talks with Inter. They have not even set a price tag they consider fair. That's left the Nerazzurri unable to gauge what to bid.
However, Lookman's big move yesterday has ensured that there is no coming back for he and Atalanta.
The Bergamo club are hardly going to think about trying to keep hold of Lookman, who's under contract until the end of June 2027.
The point of no return has been reached. Now, the Corriere report, Atalanta will have to find the right way to de-escalate a situation that has become a hot potato.