Inter Milan are set to abandon their pursuit of Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman after weeks of stalled negotiations with Atalanta, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Nerazzurri had been confident of securing the African Player of the Year, having agreed personal terms with the 27-year-old earlier this summer.
However, talks with Atalanta collapsed after Inter’s €45 million bid was rejected, with the Bergamo club refusing to move from their €50 million valuation.
Lookman, who played a crucial role in Atalanta’s Europa League triumph last year, made it clear he wanted the move.
The former Everton and Fulham star formally submitted a transfer request and distanced himself from the club, deleting all Atalanta-related posts from his social media. Reports suggest he has been absent from training for over a week, fuelling speculation of a complete breakdown in relations.
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Inter had initially offered a swap deal involving Nicola Zalewski to reduce the fee, but Atalanta dismissed the proposal.
With no progress in talks, Inter’s hierarchy, led by club president Giuseppe Marotta, have decided to draw a line under the saga and are preparing to notify Lookman’s representatives that the deal is off.
According to transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano, Ademola Lookman's agents will be informed of Inter Milan’s decision in the coming hours.
The Nigerian international had been earmarked as a marquee addition to partner Lautaro Martínez and Marcus Thuram in Simone Inzaghi’s attack. Instead, Inter have now turned their attention to alternatives, with Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku emerging as a potential option.
What next for Ademola Lookman after Inter Milan snub?
Lookman remains under contract at Atalanta until 2026, giving the Serie A club leverage in negotiations.
The Nigerian forward clearly wants to remain in Italy but it is yet to be seen whether Napoli or Juventus are still interested in his services.
A return to England is also not completely out of the equation while the Nigerian forward could be open to exploring the Spanish La Liga.
Arsenal, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham Hotspur, and Atletico Madrid have all been linked with the Super Eagles star, but no active discussions are underway.
Although the player’s stance indicates he is determined to leave, Atalanta’s firm valuation means that only a substantial late bid from abroad could realistically change the course of events before the window closes.
For now, the prospect of Lookman lining up again for Atalanta in Serie A this season cannot be ruled out.
