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Lookman told by Atalanta: There’s no going back
Robin Bairner
- 18 Sept 2025 06:51 BST
- 3 min read
News
Atalanta striker Ademola Lookman has been given a major update on his future after failing to feature for the Serie A side during their Champions League clash with PSG on Wednesday.
Lookman did not travel to Paris to face the reigning European champions in a clash that Atalanta lost 4-0, with head coach Ivan Juric claiming he would not “beg him to play” after the Nigerian went on strike.
The 27-year-old has yet to feature in a matchday squad this season, which is a frustrating state of affairs for Atalanta given that he has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €47.8 million and is their most valuable asset.
Current ETV
Ademola Lookman
F, AM (C)
Atalanta
Ademola Lookman
F, AM (C)
Atalanta
ETV Range
€43M - €52.6M
The Serie A club are clearly seeking to build bridges with the London-born Lookman, who was linked with a string of Premier League clubs and is still expected to complete a January transfer away from Northern Italy.
Prior to the Champions League clash, president Antonio Percassi told Sky Sports: “There's no going back. We're thinking about the future and the present.
“We all know the player's technical value, but we all know that to play here you have to be 100-per-cent focused.
“When he's ready, we'll be waiting for him with open arms.”
Why is he angry with Atalanta?
Lookman initially fell out with Atalanta after former head coach Gian Piero Gasperini criticised him following the club’s elimination by Club Brugge last season.
Gasperini called the striker out as “one of the worst penalty takers” he had ever seen as he grabbed the responsibility at a key moment.
In response, the striker released a long post on Instagram criticising the coach, but even a change of management has not healed the wounds Lookman apparently feels.
Many top Premier League clubs were linked with him during the summer, including Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea, with seven English sides interested at one point. Lookman is unlikely to be short of suitors come January, and if he is not playing, Atalanta may well be open to a sale.
