Nigeria Players Abroad
Rumour Mills: Ademola Lookman pushes for Inter move as Atalanta demand €50m fee
By Dayo Awoniyi
Nigeria international Ademola Lookman is at the centre of an escalating transfer standoff between Serie A champions Inter Milan and Europa League winners Atalanta, as negotiations stall over a €10 million gap in valuation.
According to Soccernet.ng, Inter Milan have already reached full personal agreement with the 27-year-old winger on a five-year contract worth €4 million per year.
Lookman, who is reportedly eager to join the 2025 UEFA Champions League finalists, is even prepared to accept a pay cut to facilitate the move to San Siro.
However, Atalanta—who signed Lookman in 2022 and have him under contract until 2026—have rejected Inter’s initial €40 million offer and are holding out for €50 million.
Italian football journalist Luca Marchetti revealed that the situation has reached an impasse, with Atalanta standing firm and Inter unwilling to raise their bid.
“Inter decided to move very quickly. They’ve reached an agreement with the player, confirmed he wants to join, and made an official offer of €40 million,” Marchetti said. “Inter consider that offer to be final. No increase. No margins to go higher.
Inter believe that €40 million is a fair offer, and that’s not all. Above all, they’ve referred to a promise that was supposedly made to the player. However, Atalanta doesn’t agree with that. They don’t accept it, in fact.”
Despite their track record of selling key players, Atalanta appear reluctant to part with Lookman unless their valuation is met.
Having already cashed in on other transfers this summer, the Bergamo-based club are reportedly concerned about the possibility of losing the Nigerian forward for free in 2026 if no transfer or contract extension materializes.
“There’s no doubt Atalanta are a selling club, but they sell on their own terms,” Marchetti explained.
“Moreover, they’ve already cashed in this transfer window. Inter have told them that they don’t want it to drag out late into August. It’s no coincidence that the club from Bergamo have also worked in a different direction.
“They’ve offered Lookman a new contract, with the same wages Inter would give him—€4 million net per season—but Lookman has turned it down. He wants Inter.”
While Inter remain determined to land the Super Eagles forward, they have also started to assess alternatives in case a deal cannot be reached.
“Are Inter without alternatives?” Marchetti asked. “Actually, they do have some, although Lookman remains the most viable target considering his characteristics.
“However, he’s not the only one. He’s the only priority right now, but it’s normal that they’d also start to look at other targets.”
With both sides currently unwilling to compromise, the coming weeks will be crucial.
Inter are expected to make another push before the window closes, but if Atalanta continue to play hardball, Lookman may have to stay at the Gewiss Stadium—at least until January or risk running down his deal.
