Atalanta CEO Luca Percassi has revealed the club made a pact with Ademola Lookman last year, agreeing to sell him only under two specific conditions, and ruled out any move to another Serie A side.
Softfootball gathered that during the unveiling of new goalkeeper Marco Sportiello on Monday, Percassi explained the backstory behind the ongoing transfer saga surrounding Lookman, who handed in a formal transfer request this summer.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano also revealed via his verified X handle, the backstory behind the delays in Lookman’s transfer from the club.
Fabrizio shared:
“Atalanta CEO Percassi: “The pact with Lookman was made one year ago when we rejected €20m from PSG”.
“We told him: we’ll let you leave in 2025 for a super top club and not in Italy. Now, the situation [with Inter] is different… and as always, it’s us deciding”.
Those conditions, according to Atalanta CEO Percassi, were that the Nigerian forward could leave only to a “super, top European club” and would never be allowed to wear the shirt of another Italian club.
The statement sheds light on Atalanta’s stance following a major approach by Inter Milan, who submitted a proposal worth over €40 million, including bonuses. Lookman had expected a move to materialise and has since publicly criticized the club for what he calls “broken promises”.
But Percassi stood firm. “As always, it is Atalanta, the club, that decides the value and the timing of its players. That has not changed,” he said.
Lookman joined Atalanta from RB Leipzig in 2022 and has emerged as one of their key performers, scoring 30 goals in all competitions over two seasons. He was instrumental in their UEFA Europa League triumph last campaign, scoring a historic hat-trick in the final.
Despite his importance to Gian Piero Gasperini’s side, Lookman pushed for a move this summer. However, Percassi’s remarks reaffirm that any transfer will adhere strictly to the 2024 agreement.
Softfootball has earlier written on Inter Milan’s offer to sign the Nigerian international from Atalanta, with the player keen to join the Italian giants.
Meanwhile, the saga now places pressure on Lookman’s representatives to secure interest from outside Italy. With Inter’s offer effectively ruled out, only a significant bid from abroad may prompt a breakthrough.
Lookman, 27, remains under contract at Atalanta until 2026. While no official disciplinary action has been taken yet, the winger’s public discontent may complicate Atalanta’s preparations for the new season. However, the club insisted they will not be forced into a decision that breaches the agreement made a year ago.
