Nigeria Players Abroad
Lookman–Atalanta standoff deepens as €55m price tag blocks Inter Milan move
By Dayo Awoniyi
The Ademola Lookman transfer saga has taken a dramatic turn, with Atalanta refusing to budge on their €55 million asking price, effectively blocking a move to Inter Milan for the Super Eagles forward.
The stand-off between the two clubs has escalated, with Inter distancing themselves from the deal as the price tag proves too high for their budget.
Lookman, who has been a key figure for La Dea since joining the club, has made it clear that he wants to leave Bergamo and pursue a move to Inter Milan.
The Nigerian forward, who has netted 52 goals and provided 25 assists in 118 appearances for Atalanta, has expressed his desire to join the 20-time Serie A champions, with Inter being his preferred destination.
However, Inter Milan have already had three bids for the player rejected by Atalanta, with the Serie A club standing firm on their €55 million valuation of Lookman. The move now appears increasingly unlikely, as Inter have confirmed they will not raise their offer.
The situation has further deteriorated, with reports suggesting that Lookman has cleared out his locker at Atalanta’s training ground, skipped a recent training session, and returned to England to be with his family. His actions signal his frustration with the prolonged negotiations and his clear desire to push for a move.
Despite Lookman’s actions, Atalanta are unmoved by the situation. The club has already secured a replacement in Jovane Cabral and is now targeting Fulham striker Rodrigo Muniz with a €40 million bid.
Atalanta are reportedly preparing a follow-up offer to strengthen their attack further, showing no signs of desperation to sell Lookman to Inter Milan.
In response to the developments, Fulham are preparing for the potential departure of Muniz by initiating talks with Nigerian striker Sadiq Umar as a possible replacement. This move is likely a reflection of the ongoing transfer shake-up at Fulham, who are bracing for a busy end to the transfer window.
Meanwhile, Lookman’s agents have reportedly flown back to Italy in a last-ditch attempt to revive negotiations with Atalanta, hoping to find a resolution before the summer transfer window closes. With time running out, all parties are now in a race against the clock to reach an agreement.
The transfer saga looks set to continue, with Atalanta holding firm and Inter Milan considering their options. Whether Lookman will get his move to Inter remains uncertain, but the tension is building as the end of the transfer window approaches.
