Amid growing tension surrounding Ademola Lookman’s transfer request, Atalanta CEO Antonio Percassi has made it clear that the Nigerian international will only be allowed to leave the Serie A club this summer under specific conditions.
Speaking to local media on Monday, Percassi responded to Lookman’s recent public statement, where the Super Eagles star expressed frustration over “broken promises” and claimed the club was blocking a transfer move widely believed to be a bid from Inter Milan.
“Ademola is a valuable player, and we understand his ambitions,” Percassi said. “But if he is to leave Atalanta, it must be for a super top club and not to a direct rival in Italy.”
This statement effectively rules out a move to Inter Milan or any other Serie A side, despite reports that a formal offer had already been submitted. Lookman, who enjoyed a sensational 2023/24 season culminating in a Europa League hat trick, has publicly declared his desire to move on from the club.
Atalanta’s stance, however, suggests they are only open to selling the player abroad, likely to the Premier League or La Liga, where several clubs have shown interest in the winger.
The situation continues to draw attention, especially after Nigeria’s Super Eagles publicly backed Lookman on social media, signaling national-level support for the forward.
With the transfer window ticking down, all eyes are now on whether a “super top club” will swoop in to secure Lookman’s signature or if the standoff with Atalanta will escalate further.
