Nigeria’s Bundesliga record goalscorer Jonathan Akpoborie has slammed Ademola Lookman’s representatives, accusing them of incompetence in the forward’s failed push to join Inter Milan this summer, Soccernet.ng reports.
Lookman spent August embroiled in a bitter standoff with Atalanta after demanding a transfer to Inter.
The 27-year-old forward submitted a transfer request, skipped training sessions, and even left Italy for the UK in a bid to force through the move.
Atalanta, however, stood firm. Determined not to strengthen a Serie A rival, the Bergamo club refused to sell, leaving Lookman isolated from the first team and watching on as his teammates began the season without him.
However, Lookman eventually backed down and returned to training just days before the league campaign kicked off.
Ademola Lookman saga: Ivan Juric points the finger
Atalanta boss Ivan Juric reintegrated Lookman ahead of last weekend’s 3-0 win at Torino, where the winger made a late substitute appearance.
Juric revealed that Lookman had apologised to both teammates and staff but placed the blame for the saga squarely on the people advising the former Fulham star.
“He spoke to me and the team on Monday. He was surrounded by people who had given him some bad advice,” Juric said.
“He has a great winning mentality, and now we need to get him back in shape physically.”
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What did Jonathan Akpoborie say?
Jonathan Akpoborie, Nigeria’s most prolific striker in Bundesliga history with 61 goals, has backed Juric’s view and accused Lookman’s management of mishandling his career.
“If the President comes out to make that kind of statement, the club clearly needs Lookman,” the former Wolfsburg and Stuttgart forward said on Brila FM’s No Holds Barred with Ifeanyi Udeze.
“Following that story, I won’t want to blame Lookman directly, but he is the one that carries his name and brand as a footballer. I will put the blame on his management.
“I believe they’re not competent enough, because before the transfer window opened, they were meant to have sorted out his issue. They let it drag, thinking he would be able to force himself out of the club. It’s very wrong.
“Lookman owes Atalanta; that’s the team that made you get to the peak of your career. They pay your salary until you leave. So, you downing tools; refusing to train, is not acceptable. You have to show loyalty until you leave.”
Akpoborie argued Lookman’s reputation as Africa’s reigning Footballer of the Year should have guaranteed him elite suitors, if his agents had been proactive.
“The person that is managing you had more than enough time. You’re the reigning African Footballer of the Year. You can go to almost any team in Europe and they won’t say no. The management should have done more.
“The boy has to look at his management team and go back to ask them questions about what they can really do for him. His agency isn’t doing a good job. If they were, they would have started handling these issues before last season even ended when they saw problems coming.”
Now fully integrated, Lookman will look to play a crucial role as Atalanta prepare for Saturday’s trip to Juventus and a midweek Champions League clash with Club Brugge.
