Atalanta President, Antonio Percassi, has stated that Nigerian forward, Ademola Lookman, will not be leaving the club during the January transfer window, despite heightened interest from several top European teams.
Ademola Lookman has emerged as a highly coveted talent in Europe, thanks to his impressive performances with Atalanta last season and his strong start to the current campaign.
Recently, Lookman contributed significantly to the team with a decisive stoppage-time goal against AC Milan, bringing his season totals to eight goals and four assists in 12 Serie A matches, and 10 goals along with five assists in 17 games across all competitions.
To solidify Lookman’s future at the club, Atalanta are discussing a contract extension to see Lookman’s salary increase, reflecting their commitment to retaining the 27-year-old forward, whose current deal runs until 2026.
President Percassi has reiterated the club’s intentions regarding Lookman’s future, saying: “Our plan is not to change anything in the January window.”
Lookman’s impressive play has garnered attention from elite clubs, including PSG, Manchester United, and Real Madrid, all of which recognize his value.
As Atalanta continue to perform well in Serie A, currently holding the top position with 34 points, and making strides in the Champions League, Lookman has expressed a unified team spirit, indicating his willingness to remain with the club at least until the end of the season.
“It’s a very important game against a very strong team that is doing well in the League. We performed well, secured three big points, and will continue in this manner,” Lookman told Sky Italia. He emphasized the importance of maintaining their current form, stating, “We believe in ourselves as a team, so we continue like this and stay together.”
Atalanta value Lookman between €60–€70 million, a figure that aligns with the ambitions of clubs like PSG and Manchester United, given his evident talent.
Since his €15 million transfer to Atalanta in 2022, Lookman’s ascent has been notable. He made headlines last season by scoring a historic hat-trick in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen, becoming the first player to achieve such a feat in a European Cup final.
His remarkable achievements have not gone unnoticed, as evidenced by his 14th-place finish in the 2024 Ballon d’Or rankings and nominations for prestigious accolades, including the CAF Men’s Player of the Year and the Globe Soccer Awards’ Best Men’s Player.