Nigeria Players Abroad
Didier Drogba leads Africa’s Intervention in Ademola Lookman’s Atalanta transfer saga
By Oluwadamilola Olaleye
The ongoing transfer saga involving Nigerian winger Ademola Lookman and Italian Serie A club Atalanta has reportedly attracted the direct involvement of African football legend Didier Drogba, who is leading a Confederation of African’s intervention to facilitate Lookman’s potential move to Inter Milan.
Negotiations between Atalanta and Inter Milan have reached an impasse after the Bergamo club rejected Inter’s €45 million offer for the 27-year-old forward.
Despite this, Inter remains determined to secure the signing and has maintained its pursuit of Lookman.
Lookman himself has expressed a strong desire to leave Atalanta, submitting a formal transfer request and being absent from several training sessions as a demonstration of his intent to move on.
According to reports from African Hub, Drogba has traveled to Italy to personally submit a detailed 50-page petition to Atalanta’s management.
The petition calls for a “fair and transparent” transfer process and raises concerns over how the player’s situation has been handled by the club.
Drogba’s involvement highlights a growing effort by CAF to ensure fair treatment of African players in European football transfers.
Sources indicate that further developments in the Lookman transfer saga are expected as the summer transfer window progresses.