Ademola Lookman ‘goes on strike' at Atalanta and refuses to attend training as furious ‘broken promises' row erupts
Not Look-ing good Ademola Lookman 'goes on strike' at Atalanta and refuses to attend training as furious 'broken promises' row erupts
ADEMOLA LOOKMAN has gone on strike from Atalanta training after accusing the club of broken promises, according to reports.
It comes after the attacker blasted the club's actions over "many months of broken promises" about his future.
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Ademola Lookman has gone on strike from Atalanta training
Credit: Getty
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Lookman accused the club of 'months of broken promises'
Credit: Getty
Lookman, 27, released a lengthy statement regarding his current feelings about his treatment on Sunday evening.
And following the statement, the London-born footballer has refused to turn up to training for the Serie A club.
According to Sky Sports Italy he has missed two days of training after handing in a transfer request.
Atalanta have insisted they will not sell the Nigeria international to another Italian club, despite Inter Milan submitting a bid worth more than £32m including add-ons.
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The Bergamo outfit are understood to want £43.4m (€50m) to sell the winger, with interest also coming from Napoli and Atletico Madrid.
Luca Percassi, the Atalanta's chief executive, said the club would allow Lookman to leave, but only for a club outside of the Italian top flight.
Percassi said: "The pact with Lookman was made a year ago, when we refused a €20m offer from PSG.
"The club is always careful when evaluating the value and timing of its players, but as always, it is Atalanta, the club, that decides."
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Lookman came through Charlton's academy before featuring for Everton, RB Leipzig, Fulham and Leicester before ending up in Italy in 2022.
In his social media statement over the weekend, he had said: "I hope to work together with the club to find an amicable solution for all parties as soon as possible.
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'Over the past three years at Atalanta, I've given absolutely everything. Not just as a footballer, but as a person.
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"I've always worn the shirt with pride and tried to represent this club and the city of Bergamo with heart, passion and dedication.
"I came here with the hope of helping this special club grow and together, we've created memories that will stay with me forever.
"Winning the Europa League and standing shoulder to shoulder with my team-mates that night in Dublin celebrating with our fans was one of the proudest moments of my career so far.
"It still gives me goosebumps thinking about it. Atalanta, and especially its supporters, have become a part of me.
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"This place has felt like home from the moment I arrived, and I've always tried to repay that love - even in moments where things haven't been easy behind the scenes.
"That's what makes writing this so hard. I have loved every moment but feel that now, after three wonderful years in Bergamo, it is the right time to move on and experience a new adventure.
"There have been numerous clubs approach Atalanta in the past and I have previously always stayed loyal.
"However, myself and the ownership of the club have been in agreement that now is the right time and the club were clear with me that if a fair offer came in they would allow me to move.
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"Despite now receiving an offer in alignment to what I believe had been discussed sadly the club are blocking the opportunity for reasons I do not understand."
Lookman, who scored a hat-trick in the 2024 Europa League final to win Atalanta's first piece of European silverware went on to confirm he had put in a formal transfer request.
He added: "To the fans - the heartbeat of this club - I want to say this: I'm truly sorry it's come to this.
"I hope you can understand this incredibly difficult situation. It's simply about standing up for what I believe is fair and right.
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"The support you have always given me has been incredible and the bond we have created together is special. With love and gratitude, Ademola."
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