💣Inter eye Koné and Lookman double swoop if funds allow🤑

Manu Koné is the name that no one expected. After months of negotiation for Ademola Lookman, Inter seems to have allocated the initially earmarked 40/45 million for the Nigerian, on the Frenchman.

A surprise move, almost like an opportunity. At these figures, it's hard to talk about a "deal", but it's also true that the former Borussia Mönchengladbach was one of the best midfielders in Serie A last year and the fact that the Giallorossi need to cash in to complete the squad could help close everything in a few days.

This, at least, is what they hope from Viale della Liberazione. So to understand, then, if Koné really excludes Lookman, or if instead...

🤔 Marotta and Aulisio's plan

Going around on social media, you often come across the discontent of Inter fans, who after the 5-0 in the Champions League final expected a real revolution and who - instead - at the first championship could find the same starting XI of that dramatic night. 

Prima pagina #Gazzettapic.twitter.com/oupdYQ4RV7

— Giovanni Capuano (@capuanogio) August 15, 2025

Perhaps for this reason, yesterday afternoon's acceleration came, with Inter well positioned on Koné. In a midfield where - from Barella to Calha, through Mkhitaryan and the others - they are all somewhat mobile directors, the Frenchman's muscles would come in very handy, especially if they had to hold a three-man attack.

And here Lookman comes back into play. Because it's true that the money Inter puts on the table for Koné is moved from the talks with Atalanta, but it's also true that there is hope of achieving a double hit. 

⚠️ Lookman, Dea needs to respond

To understand the real feasibility of the Lookman deal, Atalanta needs to set a price. 40, 45 or 55? Or even more? This is what Inter is asking, who would like to know if and how to bring out the nest egg for the Nigerian.

🚨⚫️🔵 Inter have made direct contact with AS Roma to ask for conditions of Manu Koné deal.

The two clubs are in talks about valuation of French midfielder.

Koné, seen as key player by AS Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini. pic.twitter.com/MakHXpcM21

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 14, 2025

L'@Inter cerca di chiudere Manu Koné: i nerazzurri mettono sul tavolo 40 milioni + bonus

— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) August 14, 2025

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Nerazzurri market men have given themselves another week, then every discussion will be abandoned. 

The current situation is a real stalemate and even the player's agents have left Bergamo. The point in favor of Inter is that, despite the expectations and hopes of the Percassi family, different offers from the one sent from Milan have not arrived and - therefore - the interest around Lookman is less strong than thought. It's hard to see a future where Ademola returns to wear the Dea's jersey and - therefore - it seems that maybe the sale to Inter could make all parties happy, including Atalanta.

But if Koné really does arrive, to go for the double hit would require Oaktree's effort. In this case, the departures of Asllani and Taremi, perhaps combined with that of Zielinski, could help. This way, the Nerazzurri fans would start singing again.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.

📸 Jan Kruger - 2025 Getty Images