The future of Ademola Lookman, Atalanta`s dynamic forward, remains uncertain as he has become a primary target for Inter Milan ahead of the upcoming season. On this matter, Inter`s sporting director, Piero Ausilio, recently provided insights into the ongoing discussions.
“There`s no specific grand plan, but I can confirm we have clearly expressed our interest to Atalanta. Lookman is under contract with another club, which naturally needs to make its own assessments. We`ve conveyed our position to Atalanta, and now we are patiently awaiting their consideration of our offer. It`s clear that we have a strong preference for this player, and we are mindful of the timing. We don`t want to prolong negotiations; our goal is to provide the coach with his desired players as swiftly as possible. Regarding Lookman, the player himself has shown openness to joining Inter, and we are committed to handling this process as respectfully as possible, especially given Atalanta is a friendly club.”
Inter`s initial offer for Lookman reportedly involves a loan deal with an obligation to buy, valuing the total package at €40 million. While a significant sum, this figure falls short of convincing `La Dea` (Atalanta), who are pushing for an outright purchase with a fixed fee of at least €50 million. Despite the disparity, a small window for negotiation appears to exist.
Atalanta`s negotiating position is strengthened by the recent sale of Retegui, which reduces any immediate financial pressure to sell. Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona remain in the background as potential suitors, but Inter reportedly holds a significant advantage, having already reached a basic agreement with the player.
