Ademola Lookman Accuses Atalanta of Blocking His Move to Inter Milan
Super Eagles forward, Ademola Lookman has accused his club, Atalanta, of deliberately blocking his transfer to Inter Milan despite months of internal discussions and what he claims were verbal assurances from the club that he could leave under the right conditions.
The 26-year-old winger, who was instrumental in Atalanta’s historic UEFA Europa League triumph last season, issued a strongly worded statement expressing deep frustration over what he described as broken promises and poor treatment by the club’s management.
“After many months of broken promises and what I feel has been poor treatment, I unfortunately feel there is now little choice but to speak out,” Lookman said. “Despite now receiving an offer in alignment with what I believe had been discussed, sadly, the club are blocking the opportunity for reasons I do not understand.”
Lookman confirmed he has submitted an official transfer request, making it clear he wants to move on from the Serie A side.
He emphasized that the decision was not taken lightly, citing his loyalty to the club and gratitude to Atalanta fans for their unwavering support over the past three seasons.
The transfer saga centers on an offer from Inter Milan believed to be around €40 million, with an additional €5 million in performance-based add-ons. While the proposal falls close to Atalanta’s asking price, club executives are reportedly holding out for a fee closer to €50–55 million.
Atalanta CEO Luca Percassi confirmed receipt of Inter’s offer but indicated that the club is not obligated to sell unless their valuation is met. He insisted that Lookman remains an important part of the squad, though insiders suggest his relationship with the club has become strained—particularly following reported tensions with former coach Gian Piero Gasperini last season.
Lookman, who scored a stunning hat-trick in the 2024 Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen, has seen his market value soar over the past year.
His performances have not only drawn interest from Inter Milan but also from several Premier League and La Liga clubs. However, Inter is believed to be his preferred destination.
“This situation has affected me deeply on a personal and professional level,” Lookman added. “All I ask for is fairness and the chance to continue growing in my career.”
Fans have taken to social media to voice mixed reactions, with many urging Atalanta to respect the player’s wishes after his contributions to the club’s recent success. Others believe the club has every right to maximize the financial return on one of their most valuable assets.
As negotiations continue, the coming days may prove decisive in determining whether Lookman gets his desired move—or is forced to stay at a club where relations appear to have reached a breaking point. With the transfer window still open and tensions rising, all eyes remain on Atalanta’s next move.
