Inter Milan has reportedly given up on signing Ademola Lookman, paving the way for Napoli to swoop in with a lucrative offer. According to transfer market expert Luca Cerchione, Napoli is preparing a €52 million bid for the Atalanta forward, a sum deemed suitable by the Bergamo club. This development comes after Inter’s negotiations with Atalanta stalled, with the Nerazzurri’s latest offer of €45 million plus add-ons being rejected.
Atalanta is holding out for a minimum of €50 million for Lookman, who has already reached a personal agreement with Inter and was keen on joining the San Siro. However, with Inter out of the picture, Napoli sees an opportunity to sign the Nigerian international. Lookman has been instrumental in Atalanta’s attacking prowess, and his potential departure would be a significant blow to the team, especially after the loss of top scorer Mateo Retegui to Saudi Arabia.
Despite Napoli’s attractive offer, Lookman’s preference remains an Inter move. He had publicly demanded a transfer and refused to attend training for over a week to force through a move to the Nerazzurri. Napoli’s challenge now is to convince Lookman to consider their proposal, which includes a higher transfer fee than Inter’s latest offer.
With Lookman no longer a priority, Inter plans to reallocate their funds towards signing a defender and a holding midfielder. Udinese’s Oumar Solet has been identified as their top target in defense. Atalanta coach Ivan Juric expressed concerns over potentially losing Lookman, highlighting the difficulty in replacing players who contributed significantly to the team’s goals.
The transfer saga has been ongoing for over a month, with Atalanta rejecting two Inter offers. The Bergamo club received only Inter’s formal offer, leaving the door open for Napoli to make a bid that meets their valuation. As Napoli prepares to make their move, the future of Lookman hangs in the balance, with the player’s preference and Atalanta’s valuation being key factors in determining his next destination.
