Why Inter Milan backed out of Ademola Lookman transfer deal

Inter Milan have officially withdrawn from negotiations to sign Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman after Atalanta refused to sanction his transfer despite a lucrative offer from the Serie A champions.

The Nerazzurri were reported to have agreed personal terms with Lookman on a five-year contract, but their €45 million bid was turned down by Atalanta, who insist the winger is not for sale.

Following the collapse of talks, Inter sporting director Giuseppe Marotta explained that the club had no choice but to move on to alternative targets, as Atalanta remained firm on keeping their prized asset.

“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 told Tuttomercatoweb (TMW).

Lookman, who reportedly handed in a transfer request to force a move, was briefly sidelined from team activities in the wake of the negotiations.

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His future at La Dea now hangs in the balance, with uncertainty over whether he will be reintegrated into Gian Piero Gasperini’s plans or continue to push for an exit.

The 26-year-old Nigerian international enjoyed a stellar 2023/24 campaign, playing a pivotal role in Atalanta’s historic UEFA Europa League triumph, where he scored a hat-trick in the final against Bayer Leverkusen.

His performances have attracted attention from several European clubs, but Atalanta remain determined to hold on to him as they prepare for the new season.

Inter, meanwhile, are expected to switch their focus to other attacking reinforcements as they look to bolster Simone Inzaghi’s squad ahead of their Serie A title defense and Champions League campaign.