Ademola Lookman, the Super Eagles forward, has rejected a contract proposal from Atalanta as he is determined to secure a transfer to Inter Milan, according to Sempre Inter. Sky Sport, through FCInter1908, reported that Atalanta’s final attempt to retain the 27-year-old proved unsuccessful. In an effort to prevent losing Lookman, Atalanta tried one last time by matching Inter’s contract terms in hopes of persuading him. Nonetheless, Lookman remains focused on moving to Inter. With his rejection, Atalanta finds themselves in a difficult position. Certainly, Ivan Juric’s team faces constraints due to Inter’s aggressive strategy. Although their initial €53 million offer for the Nigerian player fell short, the transfer now seems highly likely. Inter will probably need to enhance their proposal, as Lookman’s transfer appears imminent. After securing this deal, Inter might also pursue Giovanni Leoni from Parma, a young defender who could be their last acquisition this summer. Lookman significantly contributed to Atalanta’s remarkable achievement, scoring in their 3-0 victory against Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League final during the 2023/2024 season, helping Atalanta earn their first European title. Earlier in 2024, he was a member of the Super Eagles team that reached the AFCON 2023 final, where they lost 2-1 to the host nation, Côte d’Ivoire. His outstanding performances for both club and country earned him the title of 2024 African Player of the Year. Meanwhile, Inter will be aiming for a successful season next year after a disappointing conclusion to the last one, which included a heavy 5-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League final and a lackluster performance at the revamped FIFA Club World Cup in the U.S.
