Former head coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria Jose Peseiro has aired his thoughts on the transfer situation of Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman amidst interest from Inter Milan, Soccernet.ng reports.
The former RB Leipzig attacker has made it clear that his chapter in Bergamo has come to an end, and he’s keen on playing his football elsewhere.
Inter Milan have submitted three different bids for the 27-year-old attacker, but all of their offers fell on deaf ears as Atalanta declined all of them.
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Instead, the 2024 UEFA Europa League winners have raised their asking fee for Lookman, who is attempting to force a move.
After airing his displeasure on social media, the 2024 CAF Player of the Year refused to travel with Atalanta for their pre-season game against RB Leipzig. He’s also refused to train with the team, reportedly flying to England to continue his recovery from a calf injury.
Peseiro weighs in on Lookman‘s transfer saga
Lookman soared to great heights under the Portuguese tactician, as he led the Super Eagles to the AFCON 2023 final. In the same year, the Atalanta man was crowned the CAF Player of the Year.
With Inter’s interest knocking on Lookman’s door, Peseiro revealed the situation is deeper than many understand, as it is a tipping point in his career.
“As a kid in England, he was predestined; he grew up hearing people say he would become a Premier League star, he also became an U-20 world champion,” the 65-year-old said in quotes revealed by Gazzetta.It.
“Then he was no longer summoned, and the consequence was to choose the Nigerian national team, to which he is very close because he loves his parents.
“To understand who Ademola is, you have to focus on this step: he has suffered a hard rejection, it was a moment of pain and anguish.
“The desire for redemption is born there, now he wants to prove to be a player of top European club like Inter, and for me, it’s completely valid.”
Quizzed about his relationship with the Atalanta star, Peseiro revealed he’s still on talking terms with Lookman, but also admitted he won’t interfere in a situation as delicate as this.
“We’re still good today. Right now, I don’t want to disturb him. I remember when I met him, I wanted to better understand his past and his goals.
“When he arrived at Atalanta, I went to see him often: he understood that he had enormous potential, in Bergamo, he found the environment and the coach to get him out.
“What I like about him is the ability to shoot. The fact that, slowly over the years, has grown in the sense of the goal: now, if you give him a yard or two, he immediately finds a corner of the goal.
“The Inter squad is good, but from there can be a bit of imbalance. He, alongside Lautaro and Thuram is not impossible,” the Portuguese tactician continued.
Atalanta have continued to raise their asking fee for Lookman. While that has been a tipping point for Inter Milan, Peseiro maintained the Super Eagles star is worth beyond the €55m fee, and even more, regardless of his age.
“The price reflects enormous quality and his ability to adapt to each game model. Age doesn’t count: Inter want to win right away, they don’t think about the selling fee.
“I don’t know, but he’s a very quiet person. He is not particularly sociable or expansive, but he has personality. He also shared with me his insecurities. Listen and think, they are rare qualities.
“I don’t think it’s okay to address his problems with Atalanta publicly. These are issues to be resolved in private. Seen from the outside, the behaviour may not look good [refusing to train], but I can’t judge without knowing all the details,” the former Real Madrid assistant manager concluded.
Atalanta are unfazed about Lookman’s antics as he attempts to force a move, but his agents are on their way back to Italy to assist Inter in their effort to soften Atalanta’s stance, and the clock is ticking.