Lookman Blasts Atalanta For Rejecting Inter Milan’s Offer

Ademola Lookman has slammed Atalanta for rejecting Inter Milan’s offer for him while expressing his desire to leave the club on Sunday.

The Super Eagles star submitted an official transfer request on Sunday in a bid to force his way out of the club.

Atalanta rejected Inter Milan’s €45 million bid for Lookman on Friday, informing the 2024 Serie A champions that the offer was insufficient.

According to reports, the offer was worth €42 million plus €3 million in bonuses after their initial bid of €40 million plus €5 million in add-ons failed.

Lookman has now taken to social media to call out Atalanta, and to demand his immediate departure from the club.

He wrote on X: “I hope to work together with the club to find an amicable solution for all parties as soon as possible.”

“Over the past three years at Atalanta, I’ve given absolutely everything. Not just as a footballer, but as a person. I’ve always worn the shirt with pride and tried to represent this club and the city of Bergamo with heart, passion and dedication.

“I came here with the hope of helping this special club grow and together, we’ve created memories that will stay with me forever. Winning the Europa League and standing shoulder to shoulder with my teammates that night in Dublin celebrating with our fans was one of the proudest moments of my career so far. It still gives me goosebumps thinking about it.”

Lookman believes the last Inter Milan offer was fair, and has urged the club to accept it to allow him to make the move.

He said: Atalanta, and especially its supporters, have become a part of me. This place has felt like home from the moment I arrived, and I’ve always tried to repay that love – even in moments where things haven’t been easy behind the scenes.

““That’s what makes writing this so hard. I have loved every moment but feel that now, after three wonderful years in Bergamo, it is the right time to move on and experience a new adventure. There have been numerous clubs approaching Atalanta in the past and I have previously always stayed loyal.

“However, myself and the ownership of the club have been in agreement that now is the right time and the club were clear with me that if a fair offer came in they would allow me to move. Despite now receiving an offer in alignment to what I believe had been discussed sadly the club are blocking the opportunity for reasons I do not understand.

“To the fans – the heartbeat of this club – I want to say this: I’m truly sorry it’s come to this. I hope you can understand this incredibly difficult situation. It’s simply about standing up for what I believe is fair and right. The support you have always given me has been incredible and the bond we have created together is special.”

Lookman has enjoyed a successful time at the club since joining them in 2022, leading Atalanta to the Europa League in 2023 with a sensational hat-trick in the final against Bayer Leverkusen.

He became the first Atalanta player to be nominated for Ballon d’Or due to his performances in Nigeria’s build up to 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final as well as Atalanta’s triumph in the 2023–24 UEFA Europa League.