Super Eagles and Atalanta forward, Ademola Olajade Lookman, has been linked with a move to Italian giants, Inter Milan, in recent weeks, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Nerazzuri have already agreed personal terms with the 27-year-old to move to San Siro on a five-year deal that’ll see him earn €4m annually.
However, that move might have hit a snag as La Dea want to keep him in Bergamo beyond the summer of 2026, when his current deal ends.
Italian journalist, Luca Marchetti, via TuttoMercatoWeb, revealed Atalanta are ready to match Inter’s payment terms to Lookman in a new deal.
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Inter Milan have marked Lookman as their primary target in attack after bringing in Petar Sucic, Luis Henrique and Ange-Yoan Bonny.
The 2024 UEFA Europa League winners are demanding €50m and have rejected Inter’s opening bid of €40 million.
However, Inter are ready to improve their offer. They will look to further test Atalanta’s resolve and make inroads on a deal quickly.
On the player’s side, Lookman is ready to take a wage cut in a bid to join the 2025 UEFA Champions League finalists.
What Marchetti said about Lookman’s contract offer
While the Italian journalist maintains there’s mutual interest between Inter Milan and Lookman, he revealed there are complications in the pursuit of a potential deal as Atalanta want to keep the player in Bergamo.
“Inter decided to move very quickly. They’ve reached an agreement with the player, confirmed he wants to join, and made an official offer of €40 million.
“Inter consider that offer to be final. No increase. No margins to go higher. Inter believe that €40 million is a fair offer, and that’s not all.
“Above all, they’ve referred to a promise that was supposedly made to the player. However, Atalanta doesn’t agree with that. They don’t accept it, in fact,” the journalist said.
“There’s no doubt Atalanta are a selling club, but they sell on their own terms. Moreover, they’ve already cashed in this transfer window.
“Inter have told them that they don’t want it to drag out late into August. It’s no coincidence that the club from Bergamo have also worked in a different direction.
“They’ve offered Lookman a new contract, with the same wages Inter would give him, €4 million net per season, but Lookman has turned it down. He wants Inter.
“Are Inter without alternatives? Actually, they do have some, although Lookman remains the most viable target considering his characteristics.”
“However, he’s not the only one. “He’s the only priority right now, but it’s normal that they’d also start to look at other targets,” Marchetti concluded.
It appears Lookman will attempt to force a move despite Atalanta’s attempts to keep him at the club. Should he remain at the Gewiss Stadium, the Italian side risk losing him for free next summer.