90% of our goals are gone! - Desperate Atalanta coach cries for help amid Ademola Lookman transfer saga

Atalanta coach Ivan Juric has sounded alarm bells ahead of the new season as he faces an attacking crisis caused by the ongoing transfer saga of Nigerian star Ademola Lookman.

Juric revealed the massive challenge of replacing the goals lost with Lookman's potential departure and stressed the urgent need for "intelligent" signings to restore the club’s firepower.

Both Retegui and Lookman were the main men for La Dea last season, with the two forwards contributing 64 goals and assists across competition for the club.

The former Europa League winners witnessed the departure of Mateo Retegui to the Saudi Pro League, leaving Lookman as Atalanta’s last main attacking outlet.

However, the Nigerian international’s transfer request and his refusal to return to training after initially returning to Bergamo have put the club in a precarious position.

Speaking to L'Eco di Bergamo via Goal, Juric painted a stark picture: "We lost 80-90 per cent of the goals we scored last year.”

Retegui and Lookman were crucial: it won't be easy to replace them, but we need intelligent and targeted work."

The former Southampton boss acknowledged the difficulty of instantly filling the void but expressed hope that smart recruitment could make a difference for La Dea.

Atalanta are demanding over €50 million for Lookman, a price tag that has caused negotiations with Inter Milan to stall despite the player's willingness to join the Serie A giants.

Lookman has even returned to London with his family amid the standoff, while Atalanta remains firm on their valuation and prepared to keep him if the fee is not met.

Juric’s cry for help underscores how pivotal Lookman and Retegui were last season, combining for 64 goals and assists across all competitions. Without them, Atalanta faces an uphill battle to maintain their competitive edge.

As Juric warns, "It won't be easy to replace them," but his call for “intelligent and targeted work” highlights the urgency for the Bergamo side to rebuild their attacking potency if they are to navigate the challenges of the upcoming season successfully.