Ademola Lookman joined Atalanta BC in 2022, after spells in England and Germany. At Atalanta he quickly became one of their most dangerous attacking players in the world winning the African player of the year award in 2024 by scoring regularly and showing the talent that made Everton splash almost £10m on him as a teenager in 2017.
Coming into 2025, Lookman had ambitions beyond Bergamo. His performances had drawn interest from bigger clubs, and a move to Inter Milan appeared within reach.
But summer 2025 proved to be a turning point after his
Failed transfer to Inter during the 2025 summer window, Inter reportedly made a bid for Lookman — reportedly around €45 million (plus add-ons) in pursuit of strengthening their attack.
Atalanta rejected the offer, sticking to a valuation of around €50 million, and reportedly indicating they preferred a sale outside Serie A.
Feeling aggrieved, Lookman publicly accused Atalanta of broken promises. In a statement on social media, he lamented what he described as “poor treatment … as both a human being and as a professional footballer.”
In protest, he skipped training sessions, returned to the UK to train individually, and remained unavailable for pre-season and early-season matches.
The failed transfer and subsequent stand-off clearly strained the relationship between player and club.
Struggle for reintegration: sidelined and under scrutiny
New head coach Ivan Juric took over at Atalanta this summer and made clear that Lookman was not guaranteed to return to the fold. Juric emphasized that the club needed players “ready to give 100 %,” showing concern over the forward’s commitment.
As a result, Lookman was omitted from matchday squads including a high-profile Champions League opener against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) demonstrating the club’s unwillingness to immediately reinstate him.
The sidelining is more than just a disciplinary measure it reflects a deeper lack of trust, and a message that the club values cohesion, loyalty, and “spirit” for the shirt over individual talent, at least for now.
Even though Lookman has returned to training, he remains on the periphery, still being treated differently from other players which led to a clash with Juric on the touchline In a recent Champions League match against Olympique de Marseille, after Lookman was substituted in the 75th minute, he reportedly reacted angrily. The substitution struck a nerve, likely compounded by the accumulated frustration over his situation.
On the touchline, Juric was filmed grabbing Lookman’s arm, prompting a brief but heated exchange before teammates and staff intervened.
Post-match, Juric attempted to downplay the incident as part of the emotional heat of football: “Players don’t like being substituted, especially when they feel they can still make an impact,” he said. He added that the matter was resolved in the dressing room and insisted there was “no problem” between them.
Nonetheless, the clash and the poor form of the club led to the sack of coach Juric, it was also widely viewed as symbolic of the fractured relationship a visible sign that trust and mutual respect had eroded.
Complicating matters, shortly after that incident Lookman reportedly removed all references to Atalanta from his social media pages a strong signal that the dispute continues off the pitch.
For Lookman: once a shining star at Atalanta, he now looks like a shadow of his former self despite his talent. The failed transfer and clashes have dented his standing at the club and missing game time means fewer chances to show form or contribute.
For Atalanta: the club risks undermining squad harmony and depth. Lookman remains under contract until 2027; sidelining a top player reduces attacking options. On the other hand, the club seems prioritizing discipline, unity, and culture over star power.
For his future career: at 27/28, Lookman is likely looking for stability and a platform to perform. This period of uncertainty could affect his market value and attractiveness to new suitors and a permanent exit may now be the most realistic outcome, especially if relations remain soured.
The saga of Ademola Lookman at Atalanta in 2025 is a cautionary tale in modern football — where ambition and talent alone may not be enough. Attempting to force a move to a bigger club such as Inter triggered a chain reaction: broken trust, isolation, missed games, and eventually a public clash with the coach.
While both player and club might still save the relationship as former coach Juric claims the row was resolved — the cracks are clear. For Lookman, rebuilding his reputation and focus will take work. For Atalanta, the message is equally stark: loyalty and readiness to fight for the shirt matter just as much as individual brilliance.
BEHIND ADEMOLA LOOKMAN STRUGGLE AT ATALANTA THIS SEASON
