Former Napoli forward Michele Padovano has lashed out at Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman amid talks of a possible move away from the Serie A club.
Padovano, a former Italy international, has tagged Lookman as “disrespectful,” after reports suggested that the Nigerian asked to sit out Atalanta’s matches pending when his future is sorted.
Lookman joined Atalanta in 2022, and he has since scored 32 goals and provided 18 assists in 79 appearances for the Bergamo club, including 17 goals and 10 assists in 45 matches last season.
The 26-year-old, who led Atalanta to the Coppa Italia final last season, helped La Dea clinch their first continental title after he scored a hat-trick in their 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Europa League final.
His impressive performances have drawn the attention of some top clubs in Europe, with French Champions Paris Saint-Germain touted to be making a move for the Super Eagles star, who was integral to Nigeria reaching the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
With the end of the transfer window edging closer, Lookman and clubmate Teun Koopmeiners, who is nearing a move to Juventus, asked to be exempted from matchday squads.
This decision, however, has not gone down well with Padovano, as the 57-year-old former Crystal Palace forward believes Lookman has not repaid Atalanta’s faith in him.
He took to his official Instagram page on Wednesday to call out Lookman for how he has handled the transfer saga so far.
The post read: “Lookman should have respect for Atalanta because, in previous years, he has not really exploded. Atalanta gave him the opportunity to become an important player, and this attitude does not give him credit.”
Atalanta cruised to a 4-0 win at Lecce in their opening game in Serie A, and they will travel to Turin to take on Torino this Sunday at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino.
