Ademola Lookman has officially submitted a transfer request in a bid to secure a move away from Atalanta this summer, Afrosport reports.
The reigning African Footballer of the Year has been the subject of growing transfer speculation, with Inter Milan keen on bringing the Nigerian forward to the San Siro in this current window.
Atalanta have reportedly turned down two offers from the Nerazzurri for the 27-year-old, including the latest one, which was worth a total package of €45 million.
Frustrated by the club’s stance, Lookman took to social media to disclose that he had a gentleman’s agreement with Atalanta regarding his future. He has now confirmed his intention to depart the Bergamo side.
He wrote: “Over the past three years at Atalanta, I’ve given absolutely everything. Not just as a footballer but as a person. I’ve always worn the shirt with pride and tried to represent this club and the city of Bergamo with heart, passion, and dedication.
“I came here with the hope of helping this special club grow, and together, we’ve created memories that will stay with me forever. Winning the Europa League and standing shoulder to shoulder with my teammates that night in Dublin celebrating with our fans was one of the proudest moments of my career so far. It still gives me goosebumps thinking about it.
“Atalanta, and especially its supporters, have become a part of me. This place has felt like home from the moment I arrived, and I’ve always tried to repay that love – even in moments where things haven’t been easy behind the scenes.
“That’s what makes writing this so hard. I have loved every moment but feel that now, after three wonderful years in Bergamo, it is the right time to move on and experience a new adventure. There have been numerous clubs approach Atalanta in the past, and I have previously always stayed loyal. However, myself and the ownership of the club have been in agreement that now is the right time, and the club were clear with me that if a fair offer came in they would allow me to move.
“Despite now receiving an offer in alignment to what I believe had been discussed, sadly, the club are blocking the opportunity for reasons I do not understand.
“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 feel that enough is enough. I can confirm I have now handed in a formal transfer request.”
The Nigeria international also expressed his gratitude to supporters of the Serie A side for their continued backing, stating he hopes to “work together with the club to find an amicable solution for all parties”.
He added: “Even throughout the extremely difficult moments I’ve endured, many of which have remained private and confidential, I have always tried to put the club, the fans and the team first and hoped it would not get to this, but I unfortunately feel there is now little choice.
“To the fans – the heartbeat of this club – I want to say this: I’m truly sorry it’s come to this. I hope you can understand this incredibly difficult situation. It’s simply about standing up for what I believe is fair and right. The support you have always given me has been incredible and the bond we have created together is special.
“I hope to work together with the club to find an amicable solution for all parties as soon as possible”.
Lookman joined Atalanta from RB Leipzig in August 2020 for a reported fee of €15 million. He has since scored 52 goals and registered 25 assists in 118 appearances for the Italian outfit.
Across three Serie A campaigns, he has consistently reached double figures, including 15 goals in 31 league matches last season.
A key figure in Atalanta’s historic Europa League triumph in May 2024, Lookman scored a memorable hat-trick in the final to secure a 3–0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen – the club’s first-ever European trophy.
Having previously represented England at youth level, he made his senior debut for Nigeria in March 2022 and has since scored eight goals and provided five assists in 29 appearances for the Super Eagles.
