Atalanta Reject Inter’s Improved €45m Offer for Lookman

Atalanta have turned down another offer from Inter Milan for Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman, maintaining their firm stance on a €50m valuation, Sport360NG reports.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Inter’s latest bid, a package worth €42m plus €3m in add-ons, was swiftly rejected by the Bergamo outfit, who had previously dismissed an initial €40m offer. Lookman has already agreed personal terms with Inter and is reportedly eager to make the switch to the San Siro, but Atalanta are standing firm.

The club is reportedly insisting that the full €50m asking price be met, whether through a fixed fee or structured with performance-based bonuses. A key factor in their resolve is a sell-on clause with RB Leipzig, which entitles the German side to 10% of any profit up to €20m and 15% beyond that threshold, a condition stemming from Lookman’s original transfer in 2022.

While Italian journalist Alfredo Pedullà claims Atalanta might consider a €45m base fee plus €5m in bonuses, Inter are believed to be hesitant to raise their offer further. The Nerazzurri could now shift their focus to alternative attacking options, with several Premier League clubs also keeping tabs on Lookman’s situation.

The 27-year-old was notably absent from Atalanta’s squad for their friendly against RB Leipzig on Saturday. The club cited a calf injury picked up two weeks ago and the ongoing transfer discussions as reasons for his omission.

Since arriving from Leipzig in a €10.8m deal two years ago, Lookman has registered 52 goals in 118 appearances for Atalanta. He played a key role in the club’s historic UEFA Europa League triumph last season, famously netting a hat-trick in the final.

As negotiations stall, the current African Footballer of the Year now awaits the next move in a transfer saga that shows no signs of concluding just yet.