It is no longer news that Inter Milan are keen on sealing a move for Super Eagles and Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 27-year-old also wants to join the 2025 UEFA Champions League finalists, but Atalanta are making it hard for a deal to be reached.
Inter initially asked for a loan with a buy option, before tabling a €40m bid for the CAF Player of the Year, all of which were met with a decline by La Dea, who are holding out for around €50m.
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As a result, Christian Chivu’s side submitted an improved offer for Lookman, tabling a €45m plus add-ons bid to Atalanta yesterday, and while talks are progressing, Ivan Juric’s men decided to make a quick U-turn on the deal.
Atalanta offer Lookman new deal amidst Inter talks
While Lookman has already agreed on personal terms with Inter Milan for an annual salary of €4.5m, Atalanta tabled a new contract of the same amount to the former Everton man, after declining Inter’s bid.
With the 2010 treble winners submitting an improved offer for the Nigerian attacker, Atalanta opted to put transfer talks on hold and offered Lookman another contract for €5m per year, outmatching Inter’s contract proposal
As per Siempre Inter, the former Fulham winger rejected the contract offer, making it clear he no longer wants to play in Bergamo.
According to the report, this has boosted Lookman’s chances of leaving the club, and Atalanta can begin preparations for his exit.
They initially held on to him since they had already lost their top goalscorer last season, Mario Retegui, to Saudi Pro League side Al-Qadsiah.
Although Atalanta trusts Kamaldeen Sulemana to replace the Super Eagles star, they will delve into the transfer market once more as they’ll be short of forwards when Lookman leaves.