Atalanta CEO Antonio Percassi has stated that Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman will only be allowed to leave the club in 2025, and only to a “super top club” outside Italy.
Speaking in a post shared by football journalist Fabrizio Romano on Monday, Percassi disclosed that an agreement was reached last year with Lookman, after Atalanta rejected a €20 million bid from Paris Saint-Germain.
“The pact with Lookman was made one year ago when we rejected €20m from PSG,” Percassi said. “We told him: we’ll let you leave in 2025 for a super top club and not in Italy. Now, the situation [with Inter] is different… and as always, it’s us deciding.”
Lookman, who joined Atalanta from RB Leipzig in 2022, has scored 52 goals in 117 appearances. However, recent tensions have emerged between him and the club.
In a statement on Sunday, the Super Eagles star accused Atalanta of breaking promises over his potential move this summer, saying he had formally requested a transfer after “many months of broken promises” and what he described as unfair treatment.
Despite his frustration, Lookman expressed his continued respect for the club, recalling his commitment during their successful UEFA Europa League campaign in 2023/24.
“I’ve given absolutely everything. Not just as a footballer, but as a person,” Lookman said. “I’ve always worn the shirt with pride and tried to represent this club and the city of Bergamo with heart, passion, and dedication.”
The 27-year-old made headlines in May when he scored a hat-trick in Atalanta’s 3–0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League final in Dublin.
