Super Eagles winger Ademola Lookman has made a dramatic move in his ongoing transfer saga, unfollowing Atalanta on Instagram and deleting all posts related to the Italian club. This development comes after Atalanta rejected Inter Milan’s latest bid for his services, worth €42 million plus €3 million in add-ons. The Bergamo club is holding out for their full asking price of €60 million, despite Lookman and Inter reportedly agreeing on personal terms for the proposed move to San Siro.
Lookman’s Instagram purge was comprehensive, with the current African Footballer of the Year removing the club’s name from his bio and deleting posts and pictures of himself in Atalanta’s jersey, including his profile picture. This move signals Lookman’s frustration and escalates the transfer saga ahead of the new season. Atalanta’s firm stance on Lookman’s valuation is partly influenced by their obligation to pay RB Leipzig 10% of the profit up to €20 million and 15% above that figure, as part of Lookman’s original transfer from the German club in 2022.
The transfer saga continues to cast a shadow over what has been a remarkable period for Lookman, who joined Atalanta from RB Leipzig for €10.8 million and has since scored 52 goals in 118 games for the Bergamo-based club. He famously scored a hat-trick in the final of the 2023/24 Europa League, helping Atalanta win their first-ever European title in a memorable victory over Bayer Leverkusen in Dublin. Lookman’s stellar performances earned him the CAF African Footballer of the Year award, succeeding Victor Osimhen, who won the accolade in 2023.
Atalanta’s Stance and Inter’s Next Move
Atalanta’s rejection of Inter’s latest bid suggests that the club is determined to hold out for their asking price. Inter Milan, on the other hand, is expected to turn towards other targets, while Premier League clubs are aware of the fee needed to convince Atalanta into a sale. Lookman’s absence from Atalanta’s squad for their pre-season game against RB Leipzig in Germany on Saturday has also sparked speculation about his future.
What’s Next for Lookman?
With Inter Milan unlikely to give up and Lookman showing no sign of backing down, this transfer saga looks set to continue until either Atalanta lowers their €60 million asking price or Lookman finds a new destination. Napoli has also intensified its interest in Lookman after Atalanta rejected Inter Milan’s latest offer, presenting a higher salary to the player before he reached an agreement with Inter Milan.
