Atalanta BC has officially welcomed Nigerian striker, Ademola Lookman, back into their squad following his return from international duty. The 27-year-old forward had been excluded from the team and trained separately after a dramatic fallout with the club during the summer transfer window. Sources confirmed that Lookman resumed training with his teammates on Friday, under the watchful eye of head coach Ivan Juric.
Lookman’s return to Atalanta comes after his failed attempt to force a move to Inter Milan. Reports suggest that the Serie A club rejected a €45 million (£38 million/$53 million) bid from Inter for the Nigerian international, which sparked a public rift. The striker went as far as deleting all references to Atalanta from his social media accounts, fuelling speculation about his future at the club.
However, despite the tensions surrounding his transfer request, Atalanta have opted not to penalise Lookman further, instead choosing to reintegrate him into the fold. This decision marks a pivotal moment in the build-up to their upcoming Serie A fixtures, with the club likely to need Lookman’s services for the rest of the season.
Prior to his departure for international duty, Lookman had been training separately, but made his first appearances of the 2024/25 season during the September international break. He featured prominently in Nigeria’s World Cup qualifiers, playing 75 minutes against Rwanda and a full 90 minutes in their match against South Africa.
It is still uncertain whether Lookman will be included in the squad for Atalanta’s Serie A clash against Lecce this Sunday. However, many believe he will be fit to feature in their highly anticipated Champions League opener against Paris Saint-Germain next Wednesday.
Atalanta’s resolve to retain Lookman despite the summer transfer saga demonstrates their commitment to maintaining a strong attacking line-up. The Nigerian forward had an impressive 2023/24 season, scoring 20 goals across all competitions. His importance to the team is clear, as the club has resisted attempts from Inter Milan and other suitors to part with him.
Despite the ongoing uncertainty over his future, Lookman’s contract with Atalanta runs until June 2027, ensuring the club will have a significant say in any potential transfers. Juventus has reportedly identified the forward as a key target to replace Dusan Vlahovic in 2026, though it remains to be seen if Lookman will remain committed to Atalanta long term, given the speculation surrounding his future.
