A disagreement has emerged between Atalanta and Ademola Lookman regarding a transfer promise made last summer. While Lookman claims the club promised to let him leave if a suitable offer came in, Atalanta maintains that the agreement was specifically for a transfer to a foreign club, not to a Serie A rival like Inter Milan.
The situation has escalated, with Lookman formally requesting a transfer through a statement on his social media. He expressed frustration that Atalanta is blocking his move to Inter “for reasons I cannot comprehend.”
Atalanta`s Side of the Story
According to Italian sports media, Atalanta`s version of events differs significantly. The club states that the promise was made last summer when Lookman asked to be excluded from the UEFA Super Cup squad due to interest from Paris Saint-Germain. Crucially, Atalanta claims they only agreed to let him go if a lucrative offer came from a foreign club.
This explanation sheds light on why Atalanta has been reluctant to accept Inter`s proposal. The club would have been more open to Lookman`s transfer to teams like Arsenal, Chelsea, or PSG, rather than to a direct Serie A competitor.
Financial Considerations
If Atalanta is to consider Lookman`s move to Inter, they are reportedly seeking a higher transfer fee. The club is looking for a total of €50 million, significantly more than Inter`s current offer of €42 million plus €3 million in bonuses.
As the transfer window progresses, it remains to be seen how this situation will be resolved, with both parties seemingly at odds over the interpretation of last summer`s agreement.