Ademola Lookman says he has handed in Atalanta transfer request, alleges ‘broken promises, poor treatment'
In a statement posted on social media on Sunday, Lookman claimed Atalanta's hierarchy have gone back on promises and are blocking a potential move away.
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'There have been numerous clubs approach Atalanta in the past and I have previously always stayed loyal,' Lookman said. '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.
'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.
'As a result and after many months of broken promises and what I feel has been poor treatment towards me as both a human being and as a professional footballer, sadly I feel I have no choice but to speak out for what I believe is right and I feel that enough is enough. I can confirm I have now handed in a formal transfer request.'
The Athletic has approached Atalanta for comment.
Lookman, 27, joined Atalanta in the summer of 2022 from RB Leipzig. He scored 20 goals and provided seven assists last season, finishing as Serie A's third highest goalscorer.
He has recorded 52 goals and 25 assists in 118 matches for the club, and scored a hat-trick in the 2024 Europa League final victory over Bayer Leverkusen — Atalanta's first major trophy in 60 years.
Reports in Italy in recent weeks have linked Lookman with a move to Inter, who finished second in Serie A last term and will play Champions League football during the 2025-26 campaign.
The Athletic reported in early July that the forward had also been discussed by Arsenal, but the club had been unwilling to match Atalanta's valuation, while he attracted interest from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2024.
Lookman said he has 'always worn the shirt with pride' and tried to represent Atalanta 'with heart, passion and dedication'.
'Winning the Europa League and standing shoulder to shoulder with my teammates that night in Dublin celebrating with our fans was one of the proudest moments of my career,' he wrote, adding: '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.'
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In February, Atalanta's head coach Gian Piero Gasperini said Lookman was 'one of the worst penalty takers I have ever seen' after the Nigeria international missed a spot kick in the Italian side's 5-1 aggregate defeat to Club Brugge in the Champions League knockout play-off round. Lookman came on as a substitute with his side already 5-1 down on aggregate, scoring immediately after his introduction before missing the spot kick. The forward responded to being 'singled out' by saying Gasperini's remarks were 'deeply disrespectful'.
Lookman came through the Charlton Athletic academy before joining Everton in 2017. He signed for Leipzig on loan before transferring to the German club permanently in 2019. After returning to England in loan spells with Fulham and Leicester, he joined Atalanta.
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