Atalanta CEO Luca Percassi has made some interesting revelations in response to Ademola Lookman, following the Super Eagles forward’s public demand for a transfer amid concrete interest from Inter Milan, Footynaija.com reports.
Lookman’s potential exit from Atalanta has erupted into a full-blown saga, with emotional statements and executive rebuttals dominating headlines in recent days. On Sunday, the 27-year-old forward went public with his desire to leave the Bergamo-based club.
He accused Atalanta’s hierarchy of breaking promises made to him with respect to his departure from the club this summer. His post on social media offered a fresh twist to a transfer saga that has seen Inter Milan try, and so far fail, to meet Atalanta’s asking price.
Luca Percassi responds to Ademola Lookman
Addressing the situation during a press conference for new signing Marco Sportiello, Atalanta CEO offered some insights into the club’s stance. “Last year, faced with a €20 million offer from PSG, the player asked to be sold,” Percassi revealed, as per Quotidiano Sportivo.
“And Atalanta, being a credible club, promised to be able to sell the player in this transfer window based on two conditions that he himself had asked us: first of all, to reach a super-top European club, and one that would never have been seen in Italy wearing a shirt other than Atalanta, both for what he has done and for what he has received from the club.”
“Today the situation you know is very different. In any case, the club is always careful to evaluate the times and the values of its players, but as always, it is Atalanta who decides.”
Inter Milan have tabled a bid worth €45 million for Lookman, but despite the player’s well-known desire to quit Bergamo, Atalanta are insisting on a €50 million fee to cut ties with the Nigerian. With Percassi’s latest statement, and Inter reportedly unwilling to go any higher with their bid, it appears the standoff is set to continue.