Atalanta CEO offers Inter huge boost in Lookman pursuit | OneFootball

Atalanta CEO Luca Percassi has told the press that Ademola Lookman “has been expressing a desire to leave for some time” and that “Inter are a very friendly club” amid rumours linking the Nerazzurri with a move for the Nigerian forward.

Speaking to the press at the presentation of new left-back Honest Ahanor, with quotes via Corriere dello Sport, Percassi described Lookman as “a player expected to leave this summer, in line with the club’s philosophy of one key sale per year” but confessed “the transfer market brings surprises and you all know what happened with Retegui.”

BERGAMO, ITALY – JANUARY 21: Ademola Lookman of Atalanta celebrates scoring his team’s fourth goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD7 match between Atalanta BC and SK Sturm Graz at Stadio di Bergamo on January 21, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Mateo Retegui signed for Saudi Pro League club Al Qadsiah earlier this month in a deal worth a reported €65 million. This means there is less pressure on La Dea to offer discounts for Lookman, as Inter maintain a firm interest.

Percassi: ‘Inter submitted first offer for Lookman; we will see…’

Percassi discussed Inter’s move for Lookman, confessing that “For Lookman, despite a lot of interest, there had never been anything concrete, at least not until yesterday when the first official offer arrived.”

“I saw Marotta yesterday at the Lega offices. We have a great relationship, both personally and professionally. In the coming days, we will calmly evaluate the offer we have received and then provide a response. All I can say is that the timing and value of Atalanta players leaving are decisions made solely by the club.”

Luca Percassi Vice Chairman of Atalanta (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)

Yesterday, we revealed that Inter’s latest offer for Lookman is still below La Dea’s €50 million asking price for the forward. Inter’s first proposal was a reported €42 million plus €3 million in bonuses.