The striker is training alone in Portugal and is not open to English offers: the Nerazzurri are ready for the final assault

Under Ademola Lookman’s sky, there is the usual confusion, with one certainty standing out above the clouds: the Nigerian’s desire to join Inter is as high as the buildings in Monaco that surrounded Chivu’s team yesterday, even if genuine interest in him is coming from the foggy English coast. Inter were busy in their first real friendly of the season against Monaco, but with such a big and complex deal on the table, the green of the pitch faded into the background: everyone kept looking beyond it to see if and how close the Nigerian’s braids were really getting. He, the striker chosen for the new Romanian coach’s revolution, wants only and exclusively the Nerazzurri, the Milanese team, and this is the sticking point. Between secret training sessions to stay in shape far away from Zingonia, Bergamo’s fury over his unauthorized escape abroad, and potential buyers in opulent England, Lookman has remained steadfast in his position: yesterday he did not budge an inch, and he will not do so in the coming days, which are shaping up to be rather tense. There is no room for other teams, even the most prestigious Premier League clubs that have approached him in recent hours and found the door open, because he sees himself playing alongside Thuram and Lautaro in 2025-26: this is the trio imagined to storm the league, respond to the new centrality of former Conte’s Napoli and, perhaps, continue to push to the maximum in the Champions League.

The story of this seemingly irreparable rift is well known: Atalanta’s alleged promise to sell him in this transfer window, claimed by Ademola’s diverse staff and never confirmed by Dea, for which it would only have been valid for foreign clubs. The positions have even hardened: Atalanta is now ready to fine him seriously, as is customary in such cases, while the Nigerian, according to some sources in Portugal, has no intention of setting foot in Zingonia again, whatever the cost. They say that he is struggling on his own to stay in shape and not lose any of his preparation. Halfway across the river is Inter, waiting like Penelope, although obviously not forever: it has made a couple of official offers with figures that have been tactically raised a little at a time, and has a third in the pipeline. It will cost €45 million up front, which with bonuses could easily reach the €50 million threshold, but before pressing send, they are just waiting for a sign of availability from Dea. A price is needed, which has not yet been formally indicated, and this would also be the green light for Italian negotiations. In short, a sign that there is no obstacle to a sale to another Serie A team.