Report – Atalanta Could Freeze Ademola Lookman Out Until At Least January After Inter Milan Transfer Soap Opera | OneFootball

Atalanta could reportedly freeze forward Ademola Lookman out until at least the January transfer window after his summer transfer saga.

This according to Italian broadcaster SportItalia, via FCInterNews. They report that the rift between La Dea and the Nigerian international has not yet mended.

Ademola Lookman is still an Atalanta player.

For several weeks, Inter very publicly pursued the 27-year-old, in what turned out to be the transfer soap opera of the summer in Serie A.

The Nerazzurri reportedly went as high as around €45 million with their offer for Lookman.

However, La Dea made clear that they are not keen to sell the former Leicester City and Fulham forward.

Therefore, Atalanta never gave Inter a counteroffer to base any subsequent bids on.

And in the meantime, Lookman very publicly tried to force his club’s hand. The Nigerian deleted all traces of Atalanta from his social media accounts, made a public transfer request, and no-showed training for several weeks.

Atalanta Could Freeze Ademola Lookman Out This Season

BOLOGNA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 28: Ademola Lookman of Atalanta BC looks on during the Serie A match between Bologna and Atalanta at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on September 28, 2024 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Lookman eventually returned to training for Atalanta after it became clear that Inter would not be signing the 27-year-old.

However, so far the forward has been training alone. He has not become a part of coach Ivan Juric’s squad.

In the meantime, Lookman’s agents are searching for a solution for the player before the end of the transfer window.

According to SportItalia, Atalanta will not sell Lookman for a fee of less than €55 million.

Therefore, if no such offer arrives before deadline day, then, the Nigerian international will remain a part of La Dea’s squad.

But that doesn’t necessarily mean that Lookman will end up playing.

SportItalia report that, as things stand, La Dea may simply keep the 27-year-old on their books without playing him.

Considering how fractured the relationship has become due to Lookman’s antics during the transfer saga, there is still a long way back between the parties.