Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman missed Atalanta’s training session on Monday, intensifying an ongoing dispute between the Nigerian international and the Serie A club over a potential move to Inter Milan.
The 27-year-old winger failed to report at Zingonia for the team’s first session following their pre-season win over RB Leipzig.
He also skipped a non-mandatory team lunch and missed a scheduled individual therapy session, despite recent recovery from a calf injury.
Ademola Lookman. Photo Credit: Getty Images
Lookman had trained alone over the weekend, but tensions escalated after he publicly submitted a transfer request on Sunday, citing what he described as a breach of a verbal agreement.
“After many months of broken promises and poor treatment, I feel enough is enough,” Lookman said in a statement. “I can confirm I have now handed in a formal transfer request.”
READ MORE: ndidi-set-for-besiktas-medical-after-leicester-city-green-light-on-%e2%82%a615-5bn-transfer
The former Leicester City and RB Leipzig player believes Atalanta reneged on a gentleman’s agreement made last summer, following their decision to reject a €20m offer from PSG.
According to Lookman, the club had assured him he would be allowed to leave this year should a top European side express interest.
Atalanta CEO Luca Percassi acknowledged the previous interest from PSG but stated the agreement was contingent on two conditions: the club involved had to be a “super-top European team” and not based in Italy.
“Atalanta promised they could sell him this transfer window based on two conditions he himself had asked for: first, to join a super-top European club and second, not a club in Italy,” Percassi explained.
Atalanta CEO Luca Percassi. Photo Credit: X
Lookman’s representatives, however, dispute that version, insisting that no such restriction on Italian clubs was ever formally communicated.
The winger, who deleted all Atalanta-related content from his social media last week, had also reportedly asked to be left out of the Leipzig friendly to avoid injury ahead of a potential transfer.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE ATHLETIC NG WHATSAPP CHANNEL
Inter Milan remain interested in securing his services but have so far held back amid Atalanta’s €50 million valuation.
Further talks between the player’s camp and the club are expected in the coming days.
