For much of the first few weeks of the season, the story around Ademola Lookman seemed to be drifting steadily toward Istanbul, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Nigerian forward had grown visibly frustrated with his role at Atalanta, opened the door to leaving in January, and watched as Galatasaray surged to the front of a growing queue of interested clubs.
What made the potential move even more compelling for the player was the lure of teaming up with close friend and international teammate Victor Osimhen, now a marquee arrival at Galatasaray.
Turkish reports suggested Lookman liked the idea, while Fenerbahçe, Atlético Madrid and Tottenham monitored developments from a distance.
That sense of momentum was further fuelled when Esenler Erokspor’s Nigerian forward Olarenwaju Kayode publicly encouraged Lookman to accept Galatasaray’s approach.
“If Lookman were to ask me, I would definitely tell him to come to Galatasaray,” Kayode said, arguing that the Atalanta forward and Osimhen could form one of Europe’s most explosive attacking units.
Galatasaray moved with urgency. They reportedly offered Lookman a €9 million annual salary and attempted to persuade him through informal channels involving Osimhen. At one point, Lookman was believed to be leaning heavily toward accepting.
But the situation has shifted.
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New manager Palladino changes the direction of Ademola Lookman’s decision
Atalanta’s decision to part company with Ivan Jurić during the international break and appoint Raffaele Palladino has proved decisive.
The 41-year-old coach has quickly built a positive relationship with Lookman, restoring his confidence and making clear that he sees the Nigerian as a central part of his plans.
Well-connected Italian reporter Alessandro Giovanni Pagliarini summarised the new mood in Bergamo.
“As of today, a short-term exit for Lookman doesn’t seem all that certain at all,” he wrote on X.
“The Nigerian is very much liked by Palladino and, despite the first signals of interest arriving from Turkey – with Galatasaray among the most interested clubs, he is focused on Atalanta.”
The timing of the shift is striking. Lookman, who had previously removed Atalanta pictures from his social media accounts in August, has now restored them, another sign that the relationship between player and club has thawed. Atalanta added to the narrative by posting a video of his goal against Napoli, subtly reinforcing his importance.
Crucially, Lookman’s minutes are expected to improve under Palladino. With Palladino favouring an aggressive, transition-driven style, the forward’s combination of dynamism and directness will fit naturally into the new system.
While Galatasaray remain admirers and could revive their pursuit in January, the momentum has undeniably shifted. Lookman is now expected to remain in Italy at least until the end of the season, unless an unexpected twist reopens the negotiations.
