The striker attacks the club on social media: “There was an agreement to let me go in the event of a suitable offer, I don’t understand why they won’t let me go.” Lookman one year later: from keeping a low profile and thinking about PSG to breaking away to join Inter

Tension between the Nigerian and Atalanta also in August 2024: but then he trained separately without fuss and after 10 days it was peace. This time…

It’s hot in August, and not just because of the temperatures. Atalanta are entering the last month of the transfer window with two key issues still to resolve: the search for a new Retegui and the Lookman case to deal with. Not necessarily in that order. Flashback: around this time last year, the Italian-Argentine striker arrived in Bergamo after Scamacca’s first injury. A few days later, the mystery surrounding Ademola, the hero of Dublin, exploded, with PSG expressing strong interest in his agents, which was then reported back to the Bergamo club.

August 17, 2024: Atalanta has just returned from the Super Cup in Warsaw against Real Madrid and is preparing for its trip to Lecce for its league debut. To add to the already boiling pot, Koopmeiners is now asking not to be called up for the match in Salento. It is a bolt from the blue in the final days of a transfer window that has been anything but quiet, unlike the initial plans. The reason? The possibility of a transfer offer from Luis Enrique’s Paris Saint-Germain, the future European champions. “We are very calm, we have always respected our commitments. Very often, these guys are led or advised to do things that are not appropriate. The fact that the transfer market is open after the start of the championship does not help certain situations,” Luca Percassi clarified, while Gasperini stressed that “no one expected to find themselves in this situation.”

ABSENCE AND RETURN—   After an initial stalemate lasting a few days in which he did not show up at the sports center, the 1997-born player resumed attending Zingonia regularly and only doing individual work, away from the rest of the group, as requested by himself and his entourage. Paris’ interest gradually faded, paving the way for an almost natural return to the group on August 28, two days before the away match against Inter, for which he was regularly called up, albeit without playing any minutes. In effect, the case was closed. It lasted about ten days, but never reached breaking point. On the contrary, after the international break in early September, Ademola himself scored the winning goal in a 3-2 victory over Fiorentina in the inaugural match at the Bergamo stadium, complete with the brand new Curva Sud. Peace was made, if it was ever needed.

PAST AND PRESENT—  During those ten days, Lookman kept a low profile: no exposure, no controversy. Silence and confidentiality also surrounded the issue, while the club was confident that a resolution would be reached shortly. And so it was. Almost a year later, the situation is completely reversed, with the Nerazzurri player deleting his social media accounts and taking the next step by publicly requesting a transfer on social media. And the outcome, whatever it may be, seems destined to be different. “I have given everything to this shirt and I am being treated badly as a man and as a professional.”
Ademola Lookman has come out into the open. He did so with an Instagram post in which he expressed his desire to leave Atalanta. “After three extraordinary years in Bergamo, I believe it is time to move on and try a new adventure. There have been numerous clubs that have approached Atalanta in the past, and I have always been loyal. Now, however, the club’s owners and I agree that now is the right time, and the club has been clear with me: if a suitable offer came in, they would allow me to leave.” The Nigerian striker refers directly to Inter’s offer of $42 million plus $3 million in bonuses: “Now, despite a proposal being made in line with what was discussed, sadly the club is blocking the opportunity for reasons I cannot understand.”

“Over the last three years, I have given everything, not only as a player but also as a person. I have always worn the shirt with pride, trying to represent the club and the city of Bergamo with pride, passion, and dedication. I came here with the hope of helping this special club and growing together, we have created memories that I will carry with me forever. Winning the Europa League, standing shoulder to shoulder with my teammates that night in Dublin celebrating with the fans is one of the moments in my career that make me most proud. It still gives me goosebumps to think about it. Atalanta, especially the fans, are part of me. I have felt at home here since the day I arrived and have always tried to repay that love, even when things have not been easy behind the scenes. That is what makes this so difficult to write. I have loved every moment, but I believe that now is the time for a change.“

farewell—  ”The result is that, after many months of broken promises and what I believe to be poor treatment of me as a person and as a professional, I unfortunately see no other option than to take a stand for what I believe is right. I can confirm that I have submitted a transfer request. Even through the difficult times I have been through, many of which have remained private and confidential, I have always tried to put the club, the fans, and the team first, and I hoped it wouldn’t come to this, but I don’t believe there is any other choice. To the fans, the heart and soul of this club, I want to say: I am truly sorry that it has come to this. I hope you can understand this difficult situation. It is simply a matter of taking a stand for what I believe is right for me. The support you have given me has always been extraordinary, and the bond we have created is special. I hope we can work together with the club to find a solution that is amicable for all as soon as possible. With love and gratitude.