Lookman Accuses Atalanta of Broken Promises Amid Inter Transfer Row
By: IDNN Sports Desk
Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman has gone public with a formal transfer request and a blistering accusation that Serie A club Atalanta has reneged on a long-standing agreement to let him leave this summer — specifically amid growing interest from Inter Milan.
In a passionate and revealing Instagram statement on Sunday, the reigning African Footballer of the Year expressed his disappointment, saying he had remained loyal to Atalanta despite multiple offers in previous windows. According to Lookman, this summer was supposed to be different — a time when, by verbal agreement with club leadership, he would be allowed to move on if a fair offer came in.
“Unfortunately, the club is rejecting an offer that matches what we agreed upon… for reasons I don’t understand,” Lookman wrote.
“I’ve officially submitted a transfer request. After many months of broken promises and what I feel has been poor treatment towards me as a human being and a professional footballer, I feel I have no choice but to speak out.”
Lookman’s statement comes just months after etching his name in Atalanta history by scoring a hat-trick in the 2024 UEFA Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen — a performance that ended Leverkusen’s 51-match unbeaten run and secured Atalanta’s first European title.
Since joining the Bergamo-based club in 2022 from RB Leipzig for €10.8m, Lookman has scored 52 goals in 118 matches, becoming their all-time European top scorer and a vital cog in Gian Piero Gasperini’s system.
⚖️ A Promise Disputed
While Lookman insists there was a mutual understanding to allow his departure should a suitable bid arrive, Atalanta reportedly disputes that interpretation. According to Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport, the club’s internal view is that any such promise was strictly for foreign clubs, not domestic rivals like Inter Milan. The original verbal commitment, sources say, was made during the 2023 summer window when Lookman had interest from Paris Saint-Germain and asked to skip the UEFA Super Cup clash with Real Madrid.
Now, Inter Milan’s €42 million offer — with an additional €3 million in bonuses — has reportedly been rejected, as Atalanta holds firm to a €50 million valuation. That figure may be influenced by a resale clause owed to RB Leipzig: 10% of profits up to €20m and 15% beyond that threshold.
Lookman and Inter are believed to have already agreed on personal terms, but with negotiations stalling, Inter is now exploring alternatives, including Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku.
📉 Fallout and Social Media Purge
In a dramatic show of discontent, Lookman has unfollowed Atalanta on Instagram, deleted all club-related photos, and scrubbed their name from his bio. He also missed a pre-season match against former club RB Leipzig in Germany.
“To the fans — the heartbeat of this club — I want to say this: I am deeply sorry that it has come to this,” Lookman wrote. “This is about standing up for what I believe is fair and just.”
Despite the breakdown in relations, Lookman concluded his message with a call for peace, expressing hope that an “amicable solution for all parties” can still be reached.
Whether that solution involves Inter, another suitor, or a reluctant return to Bergamo remains to be seen.
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