Italian club Atalanta to start preseason without Super Eagles star Ademola Lookman

Atalanta BC, the former Europa League champions, have announced their squad for their first preseason match, but Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman was notably absent from the list. 

Pulse Sports Nigeria reports that this omission has fueled speculation about his imminent departure from the club.

Lookman, who is Africa’s finest after the 2024 CAF Player of the Year win, will watch from the sidelines as Atalanta begin their preseason preparations. 

The squad released for the friendly against RB Leipzig in Germany on August 2 does not include the 27-year-old Super Eagles star.

Atalanta CEO Luca Percassi recently revealed that Lookman has been open about his desire to leave Bergamo this summer. 

Speaking during the presentation of new signing Honest Ahanor, according to Football Italia via Pulse Sports, Percassi said, “Lookman has been expressing a desire to leave for some time,” emphasising that this aligns with Atalanta’s transfer policy of making one major sale per window.

Inter Milan have emerged as the leading suitors for Lookman. Percassi confirmed that while no concrete offers had been submitted until recently, Inter Milan have now made their first official bid: a reported €42 million plus €3 million in add-ons, an increase from their initial €40 million offer.

Despite his absence from the preseason squad, reports suggest that Lookman’s omission is not solely due to the transfer saga. 

However, Corriere dello Sport notes that the forward is also recovering from a calf injury, which may explain his sidelining for the friendly.

Meanwhile, Atalanta’s coach, Ivan Juric, has expressed a desire to keep Lookman, underlining the player’s importance to the squad. However, with the formal offer now on the table, negotiations appear to be reaching a crucial stage.

Lookman’s future seems poised for a new chapter after a standout season with Atalanta, where he netted 15 goals and provided five assists, helping the club secure a Champions League place. His versatility and attacking prowess have made him a valuable asset, attracting interest from top European clubs including Barcelona and Atletico Madrid besides Inter.

As talks progress, all eyes will be on whether Atalanta’s next major sale will be the Nigerian forward whose performances have continued to elevate his reputation as one of Africa’s elite talents.

The coming days are expected to determine whether Lookman will remain at Atalanta for the 2025-26 season or embark on a fresh challenge at Inter Milan or beyond.