Atalanta will decide Ademola Lookman’s future at the close of the summer transfer window, according to club director Tony D’Amico, who admitted disappointment with the Nigerian forward’s recent conduct.
The Serie A side confirmed that Lookman, 27, continues to train away from the first team after pushing for a move earlier this month.
“Lookman is not training with the group, and we are experiencing more and more situations like this,” D’Amico told DAZN, via TMW. “We are sorry for everyone, but right now this is the situation. We’ll make assessments at the end of the transfer window. As of today, there’s disappointment.”
The statement leaves Atalanta with two options: reintegrate the Super Eagles star into the squad in September or extend his exclusion beyond the international break.
Lookman had pressed for a switch to Serie A rivals Inter Milan in early August, but the Nerazzurri failed to meet Atalanta’s €50m valuation. During that period, the forward deleted images of himself in Atalanta colours from social media and took an unauthorised two-week absence while awaiting the deal.
Although he eventually returned for pre-season training after Inter withdrew their interest, disciplinary measures were enforced. The Nigeria international, who is under contract until June 2027, has since been frozen out and will miss at least another week, including Serie A’s matchday two fixtures.
Earlier in the summer, Lookman submitted a transfer request and released a statement accusing Atalanta of reneging on promises after rejecting Inter’s €45m bid. Club CEO Luca Percassi had previously confirmed the club would only sanction his departure if a suitable offer arrived from outside Italy.
Despite the fallout, Lookman remains a key figure in Atalanta’s recent history. He has scored 52 goals in 118 appearances, won the 2024 African Player of the Year award, and fired the club to Europa League glory last season with a historic hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen in the final.