Ademola Lookman has intensified his push for a move away from Atalanta by refusing to attend training on Monday, raising tensions between the Nigerian international and his club. The 27-year-old forward is keen on joining Serie A rivals Inter Milan this summer and is now resorting to stronger measures to make the move happen.
According to multiple sources, Lookman was absent from Atalanta’s training session at the Zingonia complex, with no official reason provided by the club. His absence comes just a day after he submitted a formal transfer request and published a lengthy Instagram post accusing the club of going back on their promises.
In the emotional statement, Lookman expressed disappointment over what he described as “a broken agreement,” claiming Atalanta had previously agreed to let him leave if a suitable offer arrived this summer. His comments have quickly sparked controversy in Bergamo, with club CEO Luca Percassi issuing a public denial of Lookman’s claims.
“We had an understanding that if a strong offer came from abroad, we would consider it,” Percassi stated. “But this was never extended to domestic rivals like Inter Milan.”
The statement from Percassi has done little to calm the situation, especially with Inter pressing hard to sign the winger. The Nerazzurri have reportedly made an offer of €42 million with an additional €3 million in performance-related add-ons. However, Atalanta are said to be reluctant to strengthen a direct competitor within Serie A, and have yet to accept the bid.
Lookman’s decision to skip training will likely be seen as an escalation, putting pressure on the club’s leadership to resolve the issue. For now, it remains unclear how Atalanta intend to respond. Internally, there is division within the club hierarchy about whether keeping a discontent player will be beneficial in the long run.
Lookman, who joined Atalanta from RB Leipzig in 2022 after a successful loan at Leicester City, has become one of the most important attacking players at the Gewiss Stadium. Last season, he scored 15 goals in all competitions and played a vital role in helping the club secure European football.
His pace, direct style, and eye for goal have made him a fan favourite. However, this ongoing transfer saga could begin to damage his reputation with Atalanta supporters, especially if his absence from training continues.
The player’s contract runs until June 2027, giving Atalanta leverage in negotiations. But if Lookman continues to make himself unavailable, the club may be forced to reconsider its stance, particularly if Inter increase their offer.
Inter Milan, on their part, are hopeful of landing the Nigerian winger before the end of the month. Manager Simone Inzaghi is believed to be a major admirer of Lookman’s qualities and wants to add him to an already dynamic attacking unit.
The situation is likely to develop rapidly in the coming days, with both the player and the buying club pushing for resolution. Atalanta face the difficult choice of holding firm and risking further unrest, or cashing in now to avoid more disruption ahead of the new Serie A season.
For now, all eyes remain on Zingonia — or more precisely, on who doesn’t show up there. As Lookman continues to apply pressure from afar, the standoff between player and club threatens to overshadow Atalanta’s summer preparations.
One thing is clear: this transfer story is far from over.
