The highly anticipated transfer saga involving Nigerian forwardAdemola Lookmanand Italian giants Inter Milan has reportedly concluded, with Inter abandoning their pursuit after weeks of protracted negotiations with Atalanta. The Nerazzurri had initially been confident of securing the 2024 African Player of the Year, having successfully agreed to personal terms with the 27-year-old earlier in the summer transfer window. However, talks with Atalanta reached an impasse as Inter's €45 million bid, which included performance-related bonuses, was vehemently rejected. Atalanta remained resolute, holding firm on their €50 million valuation and expressing a clear preference to sell Lookman to a club outside Italy.

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Ademola Lookman, who played a pivotal role in Atalanta's historic Europa League triumph, made his desire for the move unequivocally clear. In an effort to force the transfer, the former Everton and Fulham star formally submitted a transfer request and took drastic measures to distance himself from the Bergamoclub, including deleting all Atalanta-related posts from his social media accounts. Reports indicated that he had been absent from team training for over a week, choosing instead to relocate to theUnited Kingdom to train individually while awaiting a resolution to his situation. He publicly accused Atalanta of reneging on previous promises regarding his career progression.

Inter's initial attempts to reduce the transfer fee included a proposed swap deal involving Nicola Zalewski, but this offer was dismissed outright by Atalanta. With no discernible progress in the discussions, Inter's hierarchy, led by club president Giuseppe Marotta, ultimately decided to draw a line under the protracted saga. Transfer market expert Fabrizio Romanoconfirmed that Lookman's representatives would be formally informed of Inter Milan’s decision to withdraw from negotiations in the coming hours.

Lookman had been earmarked as a marquee addition for Simone Inzaghi’s squad, envisioned to partner Lautaro Martínez and Marcus Thuram in Inter’s attack. Following the collapse of the deal, Inter has now shifted its focus to alternative targets, with Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunkuemerging as a potential option to bolster their attacking lineup.

In a significant development that brings an end to one of Italian football's most turbulent transfer standoffs this summer, Ademola Lookman has returned to Atalanta’s training ground after his self-imposed exile. His return to the club's Zingonia base, confirmed by visual reports, indicates a resolution, albeit one that is likely to be met with disciplinary measures, including potential fines and wage deductions, for his unauthorized absence. He is expected to train away from Ivan Juric’s main squad, casting doubt on his immediate availability for Atalanta’s Serie A opener against newly-promoted Pisa.

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Despite his return, Lookman's long-term future at Atalanta remains uncertain. He is under contract until 2026, which gives the Serie A club considerable leverage. While the Nigerian forward has expressed a desire to remain in Italy, the interest from other domestic clubs like Napoli or Juventusis yet to be confirmed. A return to the English Premier League is also not out of the question, with clubs such as Arsenal, Nottingham Forest, and Tottenham Hotspur having been previously linked. Spanish La Liga side Atletico Madrid has also been mentioned, though no active discussions are currently underway with any of these clubs.

Fabrizio Romano has indicated that Premier Leagueclubs are monitoring the situation closely, with Arsenal potentially considering Lookman if Leandro Trossard were to depart. Atalanta CEO Luca Percassi acknowledged a "gentleman’s agreement" regarding Lookman's future, which notably excluded domestic rivals. While Lookman's stance clearly indicates his determination to seek a new challenge, Atalanta's firm valuation suggests that only a substantial late bid from a foreign club could realistically alter the course of events before the transfer window closes. There remains a slim possibility that Inter could make a late re-attempt towards the end of the window, contingent on making a sale in their attack, such as Davide Frattesi. For now, the prospect of Ademola Lookman lining up for Atalanta again in Serie A this season, despite the strained circumstances, cannot be entirely ruled out.