Transfer Update: Why Inter Milan Pulled Out of Ademola Lookman Deal
Inter Milan have officially ended their pursuit of Ademola Lookman, despite reaching a personal agreement with the Atalanta winger. According to the club’s sporting director Giuseppe Marotta, the Nerazzurri backed out of the deal after their €45 million bid was turned down by Atalanta.
A Deal That Almost Happened
Inter had reportedly agreed on a five-year contract with the Nigeria international and were confident of finalizing the transfer. However, Atalanta were not willing to sell, holding firm on their valuation and rejecting Inter’s offer.
Speaking to TuttoMercatoWeb (TMW), Marotta acknowledged that while Inter were interested, Atalanta had every right to keep their player.
Read more: Transfer Update: Why Inter Milan Pulled Out of Ademola Lookman Deal“There was talk of Lookman, but we found a club that had every right not to put him on the market, and rightly so,” Marotta said.
Lookman’s Future Now Uncertain
The situation leaves Ademola Lookman in limbo. The 26-year-old had reportedly submitted a transfer request in an effort to push the move through. Following the failed transfer, he has reportedly been left out of Atalanta’s first-team plans for several days—raising concerns about his role heading into the new season.
Lookman had a standout 2023/24 campaign with Atalanta, finishing the season on a high note with a hat-trick in the Europa League final. His impressive form attracted interest from several clubs, with Inter emerging as front-runners before the move collapsed.
With the Lookman deal now off the table, Inter are expected to pivot towards other attacking targets as they look to reinforce their squad before the transfer window closes. The club remains active in the market, with multiple options reportedly being explored.
While Inter may have pulled the plug on the Lookman transfer, the situation highlights just how high the Nigerian winger’s stock has risen in European football. Whether Atalanta reintegrate him or other suitors emerge before the window shuts, Lookman’s future will be one to watch in the coming days.
