Inter Milan Make €40m Offer for Ademola Lookman, Atalanta Unmoved

Inter Milan have offered €40 million for Atalanta’s winger Ademola Lookman. But Atalanta wants at least £44 million ($53 million) for the 27-year-old forward according to reports.

WHAT HAPPENED

On Thursday, Inter Milan bid for Ademola Lookman after agreeing personal terms with him. Lookman wants to leave Atalanta and join Inter, the Serie A runners-up. Even though Inter are serious, Atalanta wants a minimum of £44 million and has rejected their first offer.

Reports say Atalanta may accept €40 million from non-Italian clubs like Atletico Madrid but want more from Italian rivals. Inter may add a player to the deal to make up the difference.

LOOKMAN’S IMPACT AND RECENT SEASON

Ademola Lookman had a standout season, scoring 13 goals and providing 8 assists in Serie A last season. He also won the African Footballer of the Year award. Lookman scored a hat-trick in the Europa League final, leading Atalanta to their first major European trophy.

Atalanta finished third in Serie A last season, qualifying for the Champions League as confirmed in reports. Inter, with new head coach Cristian Chivu, sees Lookman as key to overtaking champions Napoli, who finished ahead in the last matchday of the Serie A season.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR INTER, ATALANTA & LOOKMAN

Talks are expected to continue, with Inter looking at new offers, possibly including midfielder Kristjan Asllani to make the deal better. Atalanta’s position makes it hard to transfer, especially with interest from Atletico Madrid and Arsenal which aren’t considered direct competitors in internal competitions.

Inter’s next match is a friendly against Sevilla on July 25, before playing Torino in the Serie A opener. Atalanta will also prepare for the Champions League with pre-season games starting soon. The transfer talks’ outcome could decide if Lookman stays as Atalanta’s main attacker or becomes Inter’s newest star.