Super Eagles star Ademola Lookman has officially handed in a transfer request at Italian club Atalanta, confirming his desire to leave the club after three years.
In a heartfelt statement posted on social media, the 27-year-old forward explained that while he has always given his best for the club, he now feels it is time to move on. Lookman said he hopes to work with Atalanta to reach a peaceful solution that will benefit all parties involved.
“Over the past three years at Atalanta, I’ve given absolutely everything,” Lookman wrote. “Winning the Europa League and celebrating with our fans in Dublin will remain one of the proudest moments of my career.”
However, Lookman expressed frustration with how the club has handled his situation in recent months. He revealed that although Atalanta had previously agreed to let him leave if a fair offer arrived, they are now blocking a potential move — despite Inter Milan reportedly submitting an offer in the region of €45 million.
“I have stayed loyal in the past, but after many months of broken promises and poor treatment, I feel I have no choice but to speak out. I’ve now submitted a formal transfer request,” he said.
Sources close to the club say Inter Milan are pushing hard to sign the Nigerian international, and respected journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed on Saturday night that Lookman had formally asked to leave.
Lookman joined Atalanta from RB Leipzig in 2022 and quickly became a key player. Last season, he scored 18 goals and provided 9 assists across all competitions. His most memorable moment came in the Europa League final, where he scored a hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen to secure Atalanta’s first-ever European title.
Despite his success, Atalanta have so far refused to accept Inter’s offers and insist that Lookman is not for sale. His current contract runs until June 2027, giving the club a strong position in negotiations.
Inter Milan manager Simone Inzaghi is said to be a big admirer of Lookman and wants to bring him to the San Siro following the departure of Lautaro Martínez to the Premier League earlier this summer.
As of now, neither Atalanta nor Inter Milan have made any official comments on the matter. Lookman has not played in any of Atalanta’s pre-season matches, with reports suggesting he is being left out while discussions continue.
The coming days could be crucial, as the Serie A season draws near and pressure builds for a final decision on Lookman’s future.