Italian football expert Alfredo Pedulla has shared his thoughts concerning the return of Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman to Atalanta’s squad following his ugly transfer saga in the summer, Footynaija.com reports.
After failing to force a move away from Bergamo during the summer transfer window and spending the first few weeks of the 2025/2026 season ostracized from Atalanta’s first team squad, Lookman has been accepted back into the fold after apologizing to his coach and teammates.
While many see this truce between club and player as a welcome development, Pedulla has described it as a “resounding defeat” for Lookman. The 61-year-old expert didn’t mince words while criticizing Lookman for his behaviour during the transfer saga.
“He’s back with the team, perhaps he’ll be called up for the next match, but when asked specifically, ‘Who lost out?’ I’d say everyone, without a doubt, but some more so,” Pedulla said, per Internews24.
“Especially those who advised Lookman, the ones who dictated this way of interpreting things—leaving, disappearing, going to a resort. Clearly, they’re the wrong advisers.
“Lookman can make whatever choices he wants, but returning to the team in September after a series of ‘revolutionaries’ and displaying unconscionable behavior is a resounding defeat.”
Despite the noise surrounding his reintegration into Atalanta’s first-team squad, Lookman will be focused on working his way back to match fitness and re-establishing himself as an important player for Ivan Juric and La Dea.
His return also comes at a crucial time, just after Atalanta’s 4-0 humbling at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. The Nigerian forward will be in contention for his first Serie A minutes this weekend when La Dea travel to Torino.