Tag: Ademola Lookman

The Chief Executive Officer of  Atalanta , Luca Percassi, has seemingly  given the green light on the imminent departure of Nigeria International  Ademola Lookman  to their Serie A rival, Inter Milan.  

Percassi reportedly said as much yesterday  during Atalanta’s unveiling of new left-back Honest Ahanor, saying  that  the African Footballer of the Year ‘has been expressing a desire to leave for some time’.

He even shoed the willingness that  Atalanta are at the ready to let  Lookman leave  since ‘Inter are a friendly club’ once both parties can iron out  the financial differences.

 Inter’s initial bid of €40 million for Lookman was turned down  by Atalanta who were demanding  for €50 million from any team to prise away the  fleet-footed  winger.

But on  Tuesday,  it was reported that  Inter  made another proposal of reported €42 million plus €3 million in bonuses.

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But pressed  to discuss on  Inter ‘s new proposal, Percassi was quoted as saying that  Atalanta  as a club  would have a final say  on the deal in the coming days.

“For Lookman, despite a lot of interest, there had never been anything concrete, at least not until yesterday (Tuesday)  when the first official offer arrived,” Percassi reportedly told  Corriere dello Sport. “I saw Marotta  (Atalanta Director) yesterday at the Lega offices.

“We have a great relationship, both personally and professionally. In the coming days, we will calmly evaluate the offer we have received and then provide a response. All I can say is that the timing and value of Atalanta players leaving are decisions made solely by the club.”

Multiple sources are reporting that Inter offered €40m plus €5m in add-ons for Ademola Lookman, but Atalanta are still holding out for €50m.

The opening proposal for the forward had been rejected at €40m and it was hoped that today’s meeting between the clubs would lead to significant developments.

Yet Sky Sport Italia, Sportitalia and Fabrizio Romano all point towards the same figures, namely that the latest offer is an improvement at €40m fixed fee plus €5m in add-ons.

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However, as Alfredo Pedullà has been writing on Football Italia since the approach was first made earlier this month, Atalanta are holding out for €50m.

That can be achieved if it is just €45m in fixed fee and a further €5m in bonuses.

Sportitalia also reiterate that this has so far been just a verbal offer during the meeting, so Atalanta are waiting to receive the formal written proposal before giving a response.

The negotiations are in full swing and it remains to be seen if Inter are prepared to make that final push to get Lookman over the line.

The final days of July will be decisive in the Ademola Lookman deal, but Inter have yet to send an improved offer to Atalanta.

Inter are yet to make an improved offer to Atalanta for Nigerian star Lookman, sources with direct knowledge of the matter tell me.

The key days in club-to-club negotiations are from Monday, July 28, to Wednesday, July 30.

There have been reports of an improved Inter offer worth €45m including add-ons, but my sources haven’t confirmed this.

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Likewise, there were no direct club-to-club contacts, but only informal talks between intermediaries on Saturday.

Inter are aware that Atalanta’s asking price is still €50m, which means an offer of €45m plus €5m add-ons should be enough to finalise the deal.

This is why the Nerazzurri’s idea is to get straight to the point in the coming days, also because Lookman has given priority to move to San Siro and hopes for a breakthrough soon.

Inter Milan are preparing to make a renewed push to sign Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman, with fresh funds expected from outgoing transfers.

The Nerazzurri, who have already agreed personal terms with the Nigerian star, are now working to meet Atalanta’s valuation of €50 million, according to La Gazzettadello Sport.

Tajon Buchanan is set to join Villarreal in a permanent move worth €8.5 million, while Mehdi Taremi is close to sealing a switch to Brazil’s Botafogo, potentially fetching another €8–9 million.

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Combined with the €10 million already received from the Stankovic-Bruges deal, Inter now have nearly €30 million in hand—more than half of Atalanta’s asking price for Lookman.

A crucial meeting between the two clubs is scheduled for early next week, possibly between Tuesday and Wednesday.

Inter’s management is eager to conclude the deal quickly, aiming to finalize the transfer before the start of August.

Lookman, who has agreed to a contract until 2030 worth €4.5 million annually, is said to be keen on the move and uninterested in offers from Napoli or Atlético Madrid.

The player’s agents have been lobbying Atalanta to soften their stance.

Inter and Atalanta  have reportedly resumed talks over Ademola Lookman on Monday but La Dea insisted that their asking price is €50m and they prefer selling the striker abroad.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Atalanta insisted that their asking price for Lookman remains €50m, while Inter are unwilling to spend more than €42/43m for the Nigerian international.

Furthermore, La Dea reportedly informed Inter that their priority would be to sell Lookman to a foreign club, knowing that Atletico Madrid have recently enquired about the 27-year-old.

On the other hand, Lookman has already agreed to personal terms with the Serie A giants, and his priority is to move to San Siro this summer.

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Negotiations between the two clubs will continue in the coming days, and even if Lookman is not yet openly pushing to join Inter, the situation could change in the coming weeks, seeing the player trying to force a move to San Siro, hoping to convince his club to lower their demands. Lookman wheels away after scoring for Atalanta

In a related development, Inter Milan are keen to  invest on Lookman because they believe he could play a big role in them winning the Italian Scudetto after they narrowly lost it to Napoli last season.

Corriere dello Sport newspaper published this analysis on how important this transfer would mean for Inter, who are still reeling from the thrashing they suffered at the hands of PSG in the final of the UEFA Champions League.

“The Nigerian based on performances in the last three years in Italian football (52 goals in 117 appearances) is a sure thing,” the newspaper analysed. “He is destined to fill a gap in the Nerazzurri’s (Inter) squad that, especially last season, has been quite significant. Namely, dribbling, one-on-one play, the ability to create a goal-scoring opportunity through a play or an individual move.”

 “When a match is deadlocked, having someone with those characteristics is vital, or almost vital.”

The newspaper reported that Napoli are also lurking to sign the Super Eagles forward and that it would be “a further setback” for Inter if they succeeded.

Atalanta are far from impressed with an offer by Inter Milan for Ademola Lookman to move on loan with an obligation to buy, describing it as insulting.

Tuttomercato reports Atalanta consider Inter Milan offer insignificant and are irritated by the proposal, viewing it as an affront to their best player

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Ademola Lookman has agreed to a five-year contract with Inter, earning Four Million Euros per season, and has expressed his preference for joining Inter.

The reigning African Player of the Year has been linked with top clubs across Europe, from Barcelona to Arsenal.

Inter  Milan have submitted a €40 million bid for Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman but La Dea are reportedly standing firm on their demands of €50 million for the player.

According to what has been reported by SkySport, Inter lodged an official bid following telephone discussions on Wednesday.

However, Atalanta are showing an unwillingness to budge from their initial demands and this may be an obstacle in the way of a deal being reached.

Atalanta consider Inter’s €40 million proposal unreasonable but the reports also claim that Inter are themselves determined not to bid above their valuation of the player.

Therefore, the €10 million difference could lead to a test of resolve amongst the parties. Inter, meanwhile, believe they can use their reported agreement with the player, on personal terms, to leverage the transfer in their favour.

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Already, Inter legend Christian Vieri urged his former club to sign Lookman, who he described as a ‘game-changer’.

Meanwhile, English Premier League side, Arsenal,  have cooled their  interest in the chase for the signature of Nigeria international striker.

According to, Football Italia, Arsenal haven’t had contact with the Atalanta star for a few weeks  with Inter Milan reportedly  ready to splash the cash  on Lookman. 

Quoting a reliable source, it was noted that Inter won’t sell their star striker, Thuram, even if they sign Lookman this summer.

“Sources with direct knowledge of the matter inform me that Thuram’s position at Inter is not in jeopardy and that the France international is not for sale,” a source privy to the arrangement stated. “Cristian Chivu’s idea would be to play Thuram and Lookman simultaneously behind Lautaro Martinez.”

Corriere dello Sport first reported Inter’s interest in Lookman on Wednesday.

He continued: “As far as I know, there’s no promise from Atalanta to release the player for less than €50m. There have been no direct talks between Inter and Atalanta in recent times, but it’s fair to expect them in the coming hours.”

In the meantime, Atletico Madrid have also held talks with Lookman in recent days, while Arsenal haven’t had contact with the player for a while.

Ademola Lookman’s long desired  move away from Atalanta  appears to seeing the light of the day   with news now making the rounds that  European Champions League finalist, Inter Milan  have secured an agreement  with the Nigeria International  striker .

According to Corriere dello Sport, the African Footballer of the Year is Inter’s primary target to strengthen their attack

The Italian newspaper  also confirmed  that Lookman’s price tag is €50m, but Inter will try to lower Atalanta’s demands, given that the spending limit for a new forward is around €35m.

Other  reports in Italy claimed  that Inter already have an informal agreement with  the Nigeria international but the Nerazzurri must first satisfy Atalanta’s demands for the 27-year-old before a deal can proceed.

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In a related development,  Sky Sport Italia  also claimed  that  Inter already have the basis of an agreement with Lookman in place on personal terms, but that it is redundant if the club are unable to come to an agreement with Atalanta over a transfer fee.

In a boost for Inter, Sky detailed  that the club are willing to invest €40m up front, which does not require any other first-team players to be sold beforehand.

Yesterday’s update claimed  that Christopher Nkunku of Chelsea, Juventus’ Nico Gonzalez and Manchester United’s Jadon Sancho are among the alternative attacking options for the Nerazzurri this summer.

Napoli are now pushing to sign Ademola Lookman and have offered to pay Atalanta 25 Million Euros as well as star forward Giacomo Raspadori.

Transfer Expert Claudio Raimondi told Sportmediaset that Napoli have already made contact with Atalanta on Ademola Lookman.

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 “Sports director Giovanni Manna was at the Atalanta training ground, where he spoke directly with Percassi (Atalanta chief) on Napoli interest in Ademola Lookman,” Raimondi said.

“The void left by Kvaratskhelia still needs to be filled, and Lookman is the top target for the left flank.

“Raspadori has been offered plus 20-25 Million Euros.”

English Premier League giants Arsenal have opened talks with a Super Eagles forward, Ademola Lookman, ahead of a potential transfer this summer, Soccernet.ng reports.

Arsenal have been linked with different attackers in recent weeks, and it seems they have finally made a concrete move.

According to AFTV, Arsenal have opened talks with Lookman over a possible transfer this summer.

The Super Eagles star has proven to be one of the top wingers in Europe over the last two years. Lookman is quick, nifty, and devastating in front of the goal.

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He has been the main man in Atalanta’s attack, contributing 52 goals and 25 assists in 118 appearances across all competitions. He is the only player who has scored a hat-trick in the final of the Europa League. That effort helped La Dea win their first-ever European trophy two seasons ago.

Nonetheless, he wants to leave Atalanta this summer, with the club looking to cash in on him, as he has one year left on his contract.

Aside from Arsenal, Lookman is being monitored by many clubs, including Juventus, Napoli, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Barcelona.

But it is expected that he would prefer a return to England, where he started his career and has close friends and family.

The Super Eagles star is valued at €60 million, which is a fee that Arsenal should be comfortable with. Arsenal will look to wrap up the transfer as soon as possible.