The Ademola Lookman situation is escalating after his damning statement complaining of ‘broken promises’ and ‘bad treatment’ by Atalanta, as the Nigeria national team ‘stands with’ him.
The striker broke his silence on the club refusing to accept the latest offer from Inter, which is believed to be worth €42m plus €3m in add-ons.
La Dea are requesting €50m, but he insists the proposal is sufficient for a sale and they are “blocking the opportunity for reasons I do not understand.”
Lookman rants at Atalanta
He announced via Instagram that he has made a formal transfer request to Atalanta, although never mentioning Inter, this is his desired destination.
“As a result and after many months of broken promises and what I feel has been poor treatment towards me as both a human being and as a professional footballer, sadly I feel I have no choice but to speak out for what I believe is right and I feel that enough is enough. I can confirm I have now handed in a formal transfer request.”
Now the Nigeria national team has got involved with the situation, posting a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, that puts the blame squarely on Atalanta.
“We stand with Ademola Lookman,” read the official Super Eagles team account.
We stand with Ademola Lookman
@Alookman_ pic.twitter.com/pQkNAkki8O— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) August 3, 2025
Atalanta in turn feel that they are being unfairly maligned by holding out for a €50m asking price, one which other clubs may well be prepared to pay.
Set to turn 28 in October, Lookman was purchased from RB Leipzig for €10.85m plus add-ons in 2022 and flourished, winning the Europa League with a hat-trick in the Final and being named African Player of the Year.
The opinion of Nigeria has nothing to do with this situation. This a matter between club and player and reps. Not even Serie A has an interest. Some players tend to forget what these clubs have done for them.
lets not forget, what has been done by the club is also for the benefit of the club too, so it is symbiosis mutualism.
and as human being, football player have human rights too. so football club should listen and act in according with player interest but also club interest in balance.
so in this case, atlanta&inter should have more good faith in making this deal done.
if you look at it the other way around, what about what the players have done for the club! this is simply an interest clash, club wants more money and player wants progress in career… then if the union or marriage wouldn’t work, they should bilaterally go their separate ways…. you can’t force anything on anyone or any institution….