Atalanta contest Lookman version of ‘broken promises’

While Ademola Lookman talked of ‘broken promises,’ Atalanta maintain they pledged to sell him abroad this summer, not to Serie A opponents Inter.

The situation has reached a breaking point, with the player submitting a formal transfer request, as confirmed by a long statement on his Instagram account.

He protested that the club had promised to let him leave this summer if a suitable offer was made, but that they are now blocking his transfer to Inter “for reasons I do not understand.”

Atalanta do not share Lookman version of events

BERGAMO, ITALY – APRIL 06: Reda Belahyane of SS Lazio compete for the ball with Ademola Lookman of Atalanta during the Serie A match between Atalanta and Lazio at Gewiss Stadium on April 06, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the version of events given by Atalanta is rather different and would explain why they have been so reticent to accept the Inter proposal.

The promise was made last summer, when Lookman asked to be left out of the squad for the UEFA Super Cup against Real Madrid because of interest from Paris Saint-Germain.

Importantly, the pledge was to let him go for a foreign club if the ambitious and lucrative bid was received.

Ademola Lookman of Atalanta BC celebrates after scoring his team third goal during the Serie A match between Parma and Atalanta at Stadio Ennio Tardini on November 23, 2024 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Atalanta would therefore have been more amenable if Lookman had tried to force his transfer to Arsenal, Chelsea or Paris Saint-Germain, rather than their Serie A competitors Inter.

If they are to accept the move to Inter, it will need to be for the right price, a total of €50m rather than the current offer of €42m plus €3m in bonuses.