Reigning African Player of the Year, Ademola Lookman, has escalated his push to leave Atalanta after skipping training on Monday, in what appears to be a direct protest against the club’s refusal to sanction his move to Inter Milan.
The Nigeria international has been a top target for 2025 UEFA Champions League finalists Inter Milan, who reportedly had a €45m offer including bonuses rejected by Atalanta.
Despite Lookman’s desire to leave, the Bergamo-based club remains firm in its stance, reluctant to sell him to a domestic rival.
Tensions between Lookman and Atalanta’s hierarchy have intensified in recent days, culminating in the 26-year-old forward lashing out on Sunday and formally submitting a transfer request.
“Ademola Lookman didn’t show up for training today as he keeps insisting on his plan to leave Atalanta,” football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano posted. “Atalanta maintains their position. No way to let him go for €42m plus €3m proposal rejected last week. No fresh bid from Inter so far.”
In a statement on Instagram, Lookman shared his frustration, accusing the club of reneging on a previous agreement. “It is the right time to move on and experience a new adventure,” he wrote, “but Atalanta is blocking the opportunity for reasons I do not understand.”
The former Fulham, Leicester City, Everton, and RB Leipzig star has removed all references to Atalanta from his social media profiles, further signalling a breakdown in the relationship.
Atalanta, however, insist that any agreement with the player was based on conditions that have not been met. CEO Luca Percassi confirmed the existence of a gentleman’s agreement from last summer, triggered when PSG submitted a €20m bid but said the terms did not apply to transfers within Italy.
“It’s important to clarify,” Percassi said via Italian outlet TMW. “Last year, the player requested a move following PSG’s offer. Atalanta agreed to sell him this summer under two conditions: that the destination be a top European club and that he never wear the jersey of another Serie A team. The current situation is different.”
A separate club statement stressed that Lookman’s claims were based on informal discussions and not a binding contract.
“The promises the player refers to stem from a gentleman’s agreement made during informal talks a year ago. That was in response to a tentative approach from PSG, which never progressed into formal negotiations due to the low offer,” the statement read.
While Atalanta remain open to selling Lookman, their €50m valuation still stands, and they insist any departure must be to a club outside Serie A.
Lookman scored 17 goals and provided 7 assists across all competitions last season, and his potential exit is one of the most closely watched stories in the ongoing transfer window.