Nigeria forward Ademola Lookman skips Atalanta training as Inter Milan transfer row deepens

The standoff between Nigeria international Ademola Lookman and Atalanta escalated further on Monday after the forward failed to report for pre-season training, in what appears to be a calculated move to force a transfer to Inter Milan.

Lookman’s absence from the Zingonia training ground follows a public fallout with the club over its refusal to sanction a move to their Serie A rivals.

The 27-year-old, who is under contract until June 2027, had published a strongly worded statement over the weekend, accusing Atalanta of reneging on promises and revealing he had formally submitted a transfer request.

His decision to skip training, despite being expected to return for pre-season duties, has been widely interpreted as a show of defiance aimed at accelerating his exit.

Reports from Corriere dello Sport and Gazzetta dello Sport confirm that the player’s no-show was intended to put pressure on the Bergamo-based club to greenlight his move.

Atalanta, however, remain firm in their stance. CEO Luca Percassi responded to the situation by reaffirming the club’s policy of not selling the forward to a direct league rival.

Percassi insists that while Lookman can leave this summer, any deal must involve a club outside of Italy—effectively ruling out Inter Milan.