Ademola Lookman Faces Uncertain Atalanta Future as Ivan Juric Demands “Different Level of Humanity”
Ademola Lookman’s situation at Atalanta continues to grow more complicated, with coach Ivan Juric all but ruling out an immediate return to the first-team picture. The Nigerian forward, who spent much of the summer pushing for a transfer to Inter Milan, was again left out of the squad as La Dea thrashed Lecce 4-1 in Serie A on Sunday.
The saga has become one of the most intriguing storylines of Atalanta’s young season — not just because of the talent involved, but because of what it reveals about Juric’s strict expectations for player commitment, character, and humility.
Lookman Left Out Again Despite Lecce Thrashing
Atalanta delivered their first Serie A win of the campaign in emphatic fashion, putting four past Lecce in Bergamo and putting smiles back on the faces of their home supporters. Yet one name was notably absent from the team sheet: Ademola Lookman.
The 27-year-old winger, who was one of the club’s standout performers last season, has been frozen out of matchday squads since August after attempting to engineer a transfer to Inter Milan. Despite reports suggesting he might be brought back for this weekend’s clash, Juric stood firm.
“Lookman won’t be called up; it’s a bad, unpleasant situation,” Juric told reporters after the game. “We need spirit, fighting spirit, humility, hard work, and a sense of belonging. Our players need to be like this; I want a different level of humanity.”
Those are strong words from the new coach, who clearly sees this situation as a test case for the culture he wants to instill at the club.
A Summer of Drama and Tension
Ademola Lookman Atalanta 2024-25Ademola Lookman Atalanta 2024-25
Lookman’s rift with Atalanta began when Inter Milan came knocking during the summer transfer window. After reportedly agreeing personal terms with the Nerazzurri, the Nigerian international attempted to push through the move by handing in a formal transfer request.
When the club refused to sell — claiming that a previously agreed exit clause applied only to foreign teams, not domestic rivals — Lookman went public with his frustration, accusing Atalanta of breaking a promise. What followed was a period of training away from the group, during which the player was said to be on strike.
The impasse reached the highest levels of the club, with Lookman sitting down for crunch talks with president Antonio Percassi, CEO Luca Percassi, and sporting director Tony D’Amico. But even that meeting has not resulted in an immediate thawing of relations, leaving Juric to make a bold stand by excluding one of his best attackers.
Juric’s No-Nonsense Approach
Juric is known across Italy as a coach who demands full commitment and total buy-in from his players. During his time at Torino, he earned a reputation for being uncompromising, at times even clashing with club management when he felt standards were slipping.
His comments about “a different level of humanity” are telling — they are not simply about footballing ability, but about the culture he is trying to build inside the dressing room. To Juric, a player who publicly criticizes the club and threatens to down tools risks undermining that spirit.
This is a gamble, of course. Lookman was crucial for Atalanta last season, scoring 15 goals and providing a cutting edge in the final third that helped the club stay competitive in both Serie A and Europe. Freezing him out could hurt their attacking options at a time when injuries are already a problem.
Lookman Still in Champions League Squad
Interestingly, Atalanta have included Lookman in their Champions League squad — a sign that the door may not be completely closed. The club kicks off its campaign against reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain on September 18, and Juric may yet decide to reintegrate the winger if attitudes improve.
For now, though, veteran attackers and younger players will have to step up. Gianluca Scamacca, the club’s star forward, is currently sidelined with a quadriceps injury and is expected to return only at the end of September. That leaves Atalanta without their two most potent attacking threats for the crucial European opener.
What Next for Ademola Lookman and Atalanta?
The coming weeks will be critical for both player and club. Lookman’s inclusion in the Champions League list suggests Atalanta have not completely given up on him — but the challenge has been laid down. He will have to convince Juric, not just with performances in training, but with his attitude and professionalism.
For Lookman, this is a delicate balancing act. At 27, he is entering what should be his prime years, and losing an entire half-season due to a standoff would be a significant setback. For Atalanta, meanwhile, the situation risks becoming a distraction as they look to push for a strong Serie A finish and a deep Champions League run.
If the player can meet Juric’s demands for humility and a renewed sense of belonging, he could still play an important role for the club. If not, January could see a fresh round of transfer drama — with Inter or another suitor ready to test Atalanta’s resolve again.
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