Atalanta head coach Ivan Juric wants Ademola Lookman to maintain the positive attitude he has noticed in the Nigerian in recent weeks. He believes that was the best path for Lookman to return to his best form. 

The 27-year-old had a tumultuous summer as he went on strike in a bid to force a move to Inter. This meant he missed pre-season with the Atalanta squad. 

La Dea refused to budge, and the transfer did not materialise, leaving Lookman miffed. He has been slowly reintegrated into the team but has yet to recover his CAF Player of the Year-winning form. 

His coach, Juric, suggested that his form was down to an attitude problem. However, he noted that Lookman has been improving on that front recently. 

“I hope that he will return from international duty with the same attitude that I saw in the last two or three weeks that he worked with us, where I had no complaints,” Juric told Sport Mediaset.

“It was a great attitude, really positive, and I want to make up for the time we lost over the summer. He is not yet at his best, but I hope to see the right spirit from him.”

“Lookman was named African Player of the Year, so that says it all. The other day, he played in a position that was not his usual role for the first time, but he showed some good things and was only lacking a goal.” 

Meanwhile, Atalanta are looking to propose a contract renewal to Lookman. As Pulse Sports reported, the Super Eagles ace will only put pen to paper if the Bergamo-based club include a €40 million release clause.