Nigerian international Ademola Lookman has formally submitted a transfer request to Atalanta, accusing the Serie A club of failing to honour a mutual agreement and treating him poorly despite his loyalty and contributions.
In a strongly worded statement posted on Instagram on Sunday, Lookman said he had been left frustrated by the club’s refusal to accept a “fair offer” in line with what he claimed had previously been agreed.
“Despite now receiving an offer in alignment with what I believe had been discussed, sadly, the club are blocking the opportunity for reasons I do not understand,” he wrote. “There have been numerous clubs that approached Atalanta in the past, and I have always stayed loyal.”
The 26-year-old winger, who joined Atalanta in 2022, has been one of the club’s standout performers, playing a pivotal role in their historic UEFA Europa League triumph. He said the decision to go public came after “many months of broken promises” and what he described as “poor treatment” both professionally and personally.
“As a result, and after many months of broken promises and what I feel has been poor treatment towards me as both a human being and as a professional footballer, I feel I have no choice but to speak out… Enough is enough. I can confirm I have now handed in a formal transfer request,” the statement continued.
Lookman reflected positively on his time in Bergamo, expressing deep affection for the club and its supporters. He described Atalanta as a place that had felt like home from the start and said he had always given his all on and off the pitch.
“I’ve always worn the shirt with pride and tried to represent this club and the city of Bergamo with heart, passion, and dedication. Winning the Europa League and standing shoulder to shoulder with my teammates that night in Dublin was one of the proudest moments of my career,” he said.
The former RB Leipzig and Everton forward revealed that both he and Atalanta’s management had agreed earlier that it was time for him to move on. He said the club had assured him he could leave if a reasonable offer came in—an agreement he now believes has been reneged upon.
“Myself and the ownership of the club have been in agreement that now is the right time, and the club were clear with me that if a fair offer came in, they would allow me to move,” Lookman explained.
Addressing fans directly, Lookman expressed regret over how the situation has unfolded and called for understanding.
“To the fans – the heartbeat of this club – I want to say this: I’m truly sorry it’s come to this. I hope you can understand this incredibly difficult situation. It’s simply about standing up for what I believe is fair and right. I hope to work with the club to find an amicable solution for all parties as soon as possible,” he said.
Lookman joined Atalanta in August 2022 for €15 million and scored on his Serie A debut. His contributions were instrumental in the club’s 2023–24 UEFA Europa League victory. In 2024, he made history as the first active Atalanta player to be nominated for the Ballon d’Or and was later named CAF African Footballer of the Year.
