Atalanta boss Raffaele Palladino concerned losing Ademola Lookman for AFCON 2025

Atalanta manager Raffaele Palladino is concerned losing Nigeria international Ademola Lookman for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

Lookman, a former African Footballer of the Year has been named in the Super Eagles 54-man provisional squad for the continental showpiece to be staged in Morocco between December 2025 and January 2026.

Per FIFA directives, clubs are allowed to keep players set to participate in the AFCON tournament until December 15, with Atalanta expected to lose the enterprising attacker for weeks.

However, Palladino has highlighted the difficulty of losing the Nigeria international, whom he described as “strong and decisive” for the team.

“We are losing two important players for us—Lookman and Kossounou—strong and decisive, but we are regaining Kolasinac and Scalvini, who are equally important,” Palladino said.

Lookman is expected to be included in Nigeria’s Super Eagles squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations later this week, leaving Atalanta to adjust their strategy without the talented winger.