Inter Give Up on Ademola Lookman as Atalanta Refuse to Budge in Transfer Saga

The summer transfer window is always full of drama in Serie A, but the battle over Ademola Lookman’s future has been particularly explosive. After weeks of tense negotiations, public frustrations, and even a player strike, Inter have now officially abandoned their pursuit of the Nigerian forward. What looked like a move destined to happen has instead collapsed under the weight of failed agreements and hard stances.

According to reports in Italy, including Fabrizio Romano and Calciomercato, Inter informed Lookman’s representatives and Atalanta that they will no longer return with a fresh bid. The Nerazzurri made a €45 million (£38m/$53m) offer earlier this summer, but Atalanta rejected it without hesitation. Despite Lookman himself pushing hard for the transfer, the Bergamo club stood firm — and Inter, after reassessing their squad and strategy, decided to walk away.

It’s a conclusion that brings an abrupt end to one of the summer’s most heated stories, but it leaves plenty of questions for both the player and the clubs involved.

Inter Give Up After Failed €45 Million Bid

The turning point came when Atalanta flatly refused Inter’s top bid for Lookman. Inter’s management, after discussions at board level and with head coach Simone Inzaghi, decided they could not justify increasing their offer. Tactical and technical evaluations suggested that while Lookman would have added depth and flair to their attacking line, the club had other priorities in the market that couldn’t be ignored.

Atalanta’s stance was clear from the start: they valued Lookman as an essential player and wouldn’t sell him to a domestic rival unless the price reflected both his importance and the risk of strengthening a direct competitor. When Inter’s offer fell short of that valuation, talks stalled, and eventually the Nerazzurri pulled the plug.

This decision was communicated directly to Atalanta during negotiations that also involved Nicolas Zalewski. The two clubs found common ground on a fee for the Polish international’s move to Bergamo, but on Lookman there was no progress — and now there never will be, at least this summer.

Lookman’s Transfer Request and Fallout with Atalanta

Atalanta v SS Lazio – Serie A lookman

The bigger subplot in all of this has been Lookman’s personal stance. Determined to secure a move to Inter, he went further than most players are willing to go. He rejected interest from Napoli, Atletico Madrid, and even Premier League side Arsenal, all in the hope of sealing a transfer to Milan.

But when Atalanta stood firm, Lookman’s frustration boiled over. He accused the club of breaking promises, saying that they had assured him he would be allowed to leave if the right offer arrived. Atalanta’s CEO responded publicly, clarifying that the promise only applied to clubs outside of Italy — not to direct domestic rivals like Inter.

Feeling betrayed, Lookman took drastic action: he handed in a transfer request and then refused to attend pre-season training sessions and friendly matches. In effect, he went on strike, isolating himself from the squad and the coaching staff in a desperate attempt to force Atalanta’s hand.

Now, with Inter withdrawing completely, Lookman finds himself in a very awkward position. His gamble has not paid off, and reintegrating into Atalanta’s first team will be far from easy. Fans and teammates alike may struggle to forget his public rebellion, and Gian Piero Gasperini will have a delicate job managing the fallout.

Inter Turn to Alternative Targets

Dimarco Lautaro Inter prima maglia

While Lookman’s saga ends in disappointment for Inter, the Nerazzurri have already shifted their focus elsewhere. Reports suggest that they are now concentrating on strengthening other areas of the squad, particularly midfield and defense.

Two names have emerged on their radar. One is Manu Koné of Roma, a dynamic midfielder who could bring energy and physicality. However, negotiations with Roma are proving difficult, with the Giallorossi demanding a higher fee than Inter are currently willing to pay.

The second target is Loïc Badé of Sevilla, a French defender who has been attracting attention across Europe. Inter had identified him as a potential reinforcement, but the race for his signature appears to be slipping away, with Bayer Leverkusen and their new manager Erik ten Hag reportedly close to finalizing a deal.

So far, nothing has been straightforward for Inter in this window, and Lookman’s failed pursuit is just the latest twist in what has been a frustrating summer.

A Long Road Back for Ademola Lookman

For Lookman, the immediate future looks complicated. He remains an Atalanta player, but his relationship with the club has taken serious damage. Strikes, transfer requests, and public criticism rarely disappear overnight, and the trust between player and club will take time to rebuild — if it can be rebuilt at all.

Atalanta fans have always appreciated Lookman’s flair, work rate, and decisive contributions in attack, but loyalty matters deeply in Bergamo. Having tried to force a move to a direct rival, Lookman may find himself under pressure to win back the supporters’ respect.

Much will depend on how Gasperini handles the situation. The coach has never been one to shy away from discipline, but he also knows the value of having a talent like Lookman in his squad. If bridges can be mended, Atalanta could still benefit from his goals and creativity in their push for Serie A and European success.

Inter and Atalanta Move On, But the Saga Leaves a Mark

The collapse of this transfer is significant for both clubs. For Inter, it represents another lesson in balancing ambition with financial and tactical realities. They made a serious attempt to sign a player who would have excited their fanbase, but ultimately decided not to compromise their wider plans for the season.

For Atalanta, it shows their determination to protect their competitive position in Serie A. Selling one of their key attackers to a domestic rival would have been a risky move, and by standing firm they have sent a message that they are not a selling club — at least not on terms that don’t suit them.

As for Lookman, he now faces the biggest challenge of his career so far: repairing relationships, regaining trust, and proving that his commitment on the pitch outweighs the drama of this summer. Whether he succeeds or not could define not just his season, but the trajectory of his career in Italy.

Conclusion: Inter Give Up, But Story Isn’t Over

In the end, Inter give up on Ademola Lookman after weeks of frustration and failed talks. Atalanta’s refusal to sell, combined with Inter’s own reassessment of priorities, has brought the saga to a close — at least for now.

But in football, nothing is ever truly final. A player who has gone on strike rarely forgets the reasons why, and a club that turns down €45 million may regret it if results don’t go their way. The Lookman story still has chapters to be written, even if Inter are no longer holding the pen.