Lookman dropped from Atalanta’s squad amidst transfer turmoil
Story by Susan Mbamah
The relationship between star forward Ademola Lookman and Atalanta has hit a new low. The Nigerian winger was left out of the 23-man squad for the Serie A season opener against Pisa, a move that follows a dramatic transfer saga that has left his future in doubt.
Only three months ago, Lookman, 27, was a hero after scoring a hat trick that won the club its first-ever European trophy. Now, he’s training alone, frozen out of the team. The tension began when Inter Milan offered €45 million for him in early August, but Atalanta rejected the bid, insisting on their €50 million valuation.
Lookman reacted strongly, accusing the club of “breaking promises” and treating him unfairly. He took a two-week unauthorized leave from pre-season training and submitted an official transfer request, determined to force a move to Inter.
However, Inter eventually backed out of the deal after being unable to meet Atalanta’s asking price. Lookman returned to Bergamo, but instead of rejoining the team, he was told to train individually.
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Atalanta’s sporting director, Tony D’Amico, confirmed the ongoing issues before Sunday’s match. “Lookman is not training with the group, and we are experiencing more and more situations like this.
We are sorry for everyone, but right now this is the situation,” D’Amico told DAZN. “We’ll make assessments at the end of the transfer window. As of today, there’s disappointment.”
While Lookman was sidelined, the club’s new signings, Nikola Krstovic, Kamaldeen Sulemana, and 17-year-old Honest Ahanor, all made the squad, signaling that Atalanta is moving forward with new attacking options.
Despite the recent drama, Lookman remains Atalanta’s most prolific forward. Since joining, he has scored 52 goals in 118 appearances. Last season, his hat trick in the Europa League final cemented his place in club history, and his performance earned him the 2024 African Ballon d’Or.
However, the rift with the club grew quickly. Lookman even deleted all photos of himself in Atalanta colors from his Instagram, a symbolic act reflecting the widening divide.
READ ALSO: I didn’t mean to offend Lookman – Atalanta’s Gasperini
With his contract running until June 2027, Atalanta holds all the cards. His absence from the first two Serie A rounds suggests that even if he isn’t sold, his reintegration into the team won’t happen anytime soon.
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