Why Ademola Lookman wants out of Atalanta: The full story

Super Eagles attacker Ademola Lookman has officially asked to leave Atalanta amid transfer speculations, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Nigerian forward submitted a formal transfer request this week, bringing to light months of tension between him and the club.

What started as a successful spell in Bergamo has now taken a sour turn, with Lookman speaking openly about broken promises and mistreatment behind the scenes.

Clear breakdown of Ademola Lookman vs Atalanta saga

Lookman’s Time at Atalanta

Since joining Atalanta in 2022, Lookman has been one of the club’s key players. He’s scored important goals, built a strong bond with the fans, and played a major role in Atalanta’s Europa League win.

By all appearances, it looked like a great fit for a player striving to be the best.

Where Things Went Wrong

There had been past tensions between coach Gian Piero Gasperini and the Super Eagles attacker after the Italian tactician publicly criticised the Nigerian over a penalty incident.

Despite this, Lookman responded calmly and moved on, continuing to play regularly and maintaining his composure.

But behind the scenes, not everything was smooth. In a statement posted on Instagram, Lookman said he had endured “extremely difficult moments” that were never made public.

He said he always put the club first, but now felt he had “little choice” but to ask for a move.

He also spoke of “broken promises” and “poor treatment” from the club, which suggests that the trust between him and Atalanta’s leadership had broken down.

 

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Inter Milan's Transfer Offer

Earlier reports suggested that the Nigerian international had an agreement with the club that if a fair offer came in, he would be allowed to leave.

This summer, Inter Milan reportedly made a strong offer—believed to be worth around €45 million—but Atalanta rejected it.

“Despite now receiving an offer in alignment to what I believe had been discussed, sadly the club are blocking the opportunity for reasons I do not understand.” Says Lookman

That rejection appears to have been the final straw.

Lookman's Message to the Fans

In his post, Lookman made sure to thank the Atalanta fans for their support. He called them “the heartbeat of this club” and said he was “truly sorry it’s come to this.”

Despite the difficult situation, he said the connection he has with supporters is something he values deeply.

What Happens Now?

The situation puts Atalanta in a tough spot. Do they let Lookman leave—possibly to a direct rival—or keep him against his will? With a new coach, Ivan Jurić, just arriving, it’s a delicate time for the club.

Lookman, for his part, has made it clear that he wants to move on. As a result, the transfer window is expected to heat up, with fans closely watching to see where he will end up.