Atalanta Captain Speaks on Ademola Lookman’s Absence: "He Didn’t Bother Us"
- Ademola Lookman will not be part of the Atalanta squad that will take a trip to Paris for their Champions League game against PSG
- The club's captain, Marten De Roon, is hopeful that the Nigerian international will be reintegrated into the Italian club
- Lookman has been at loggerheads with the club following his failed move to Inter Milan, despite submitting his transfer request
Atalanta captain Marten De Roon has opened up on Ademola Lookman's situation as the Nigerian international is still left out of the squad.
De Roon stated that La Dea are willing to welcome the forward to the team whenever he makes the decision to return to the fold.
Lookman has been in a face-off with the Italian side, having tendered his transfer request during the summer transfer window.
Source: Getty Images
The reigning CAF Player of the Year criticised the club on social media and went absent for more than two weeks.
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He was on the verge of joining Serie A rivals Inter Milan, but Atalanta declined due to their policy of not selling players to competitors, Soccernet reports.
Inter then went on to complete the transfer of Petar Sucic and Luis Henrique on the final day of the window, leaving Lookman's situation compounded.
Following the close of the summer transfer window, Atalanta are keen on re-integrating Lookman into the squad, but the 27-year-old winger is adamant.
There were reports that he would join his teammates for their league clash against Lecce, but head coach Ivan Juric stated that the star was not mentally fit for the fixture.
The tactician was blunt in his comments, suggesting that he would not plead with the player to return to action, saying he needs players who are ready to fight for the shirt.
Also, Lookman will not be part of the squad that will travel to Paris for their UEFA Champions League game against PSG at Parc des Princes.
Meanwhile, captain Marten De Roon suggested that the team is focused and players are unbothered about who is not available.
He, however, stated that Lookman remains a key member of the squad and hopes he can be reintegrated as quickly as possible.
The skipper said, via Gianluca Di Marzio:
“He (Lookman) didn't bother us, I don't want to waste too much time. We're focusing on the team and who's there.
"We're always here, and I think there will always be an opening for Lookman."
Source: Getty Images
Lookman has not featured for Atalanta this season after pushing for a move to Inter Milan, a transfer that never materialised, and the Nigerian will play no part against the reigning Champions League winners.
Lookman linked with Fenerbahce
Legit.ng earlier reported that Turkish Super League giants Fenerbahce proposed a deal to Ademola Lookman despite Atalanta's stance of no sale this summer.
The forward and the Italian side have been at loggerheads since the summer of 2024 after he scored a hat trick against Bayer Leverkusen to help the club win the UEFA Europa League.
Source: Legit.ng
