The transfer saga surrounding Nigerian winger Ademola Lookman has taken a dramatic twist after Inter Milan’s sporting director, Giuseppe Marotta, confirmed the club has officially pulled out of negotiations with Atalanta. The Nerazzurri had tabled a €45 million bid and even reached a personal agreement on a five-year deal with the Super Eagles forward, but Atalanta flatly refused to sanction the move.
Marotta explained that Atalanta were within their rights to hold on to one of Serie A’s most in-form players. “There was talk of Lookman, but we found a club that had every right not to put him on the market, and rightly so,” the Inter chief told TMW on Tuesday. His comments effectively ended Inter’s pursuit after weeks of speculation.
The 27-year-old, who has been a revelation in Bergamo since joining Atalanta from RB Leipzig in 2022, reportedly submitted a transfer request earlier this month in a bid to force the move. However, Atalanta’s refusal to engage further has left the winger’s future in limbo, especially as he was left out of training sessions for several days during the negotiations.
Lookman’s stock has risen sharply after an outstanding 2023/24 campaign in which he scored 17 goals and provided 11 assists across all competitions, helping Atalanta secure Champions League football. His performances also drew interest from Premier League clubs, with Arsenal and Tottenham said to be monitoring developments, but Inter had been the frontrunners until the deal collapsed.
The failed transfer marks another frustrating episode for Inter this summer, as the Nerazzurri continue their search for attacking reinforcements to bolster a squad that will defend their Serie A title and compete strongly in Europe. Marotta has now confirmed that the club has shifted attention to other targets before the window closes.
For Atalanta, retaining Lookman underlines their ambition to challenge Italy’s top clubs and make a deep run in the Champions League. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini has reportedly insisted that the Nigerian remains central to his tactical plans, especially after the departure of other key squad members.
While Inter’s withdrawal has cooled the immediate speculation, the transfer story is far from over. Lookman’s relationship with Atalanta’s hierarchy could yet determine whether he remains in Bergamo long term or re-emerges as a transfer headline in January. For now, the Super Eagles star faces an uncertain but pivotal season.
