Ademola Lookman: Atalanta Takes Final Decision After Crucial Meeting With Super Eagles Star

Ademola Lookman: Atalanta Takes Final Decision After Crucial Meeting With Super Eagles Star

  • Ademola Lookman has returned to Atalanta training after clear-the-air talks with coach Ivan Jurić
  • Atalanta president Antonio Percassi also confirmed the Super Eagles winger will get a fresh chance to play
  • Lookman could make his 2025/26 season debut for Atalanta against Juventus this weekend in Serie A

Ademola Lookman is back in full training with Atalanta after a troublesome summer that saw him nearly leave the Bergamo club.

The Super Eagles forward had been thrown out of the first team since July after trying to force a move to rivals Inter Milan, a deal that did not see the light of day

Ademola Lookman, Atalanta, Super Eagles, Serie A, Italy
Ademola Lookman has returned to training with the Atalanta first team for the first time since July. Photo by DeFodi Images
Source: Getty Images

That action forced Atalanta to declare Lookman “excommunicated” as he was even dropped from the Champions League squad that lost 4-0 to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.

Lookman’s absence from competitive action had raised questions about his future, but after talks with head coach Ivan Juric and club president Antonio Percassi, he has now been reintegrated into the team.

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Lookman’s standoff with Atalanta ends

Lookman was one of Atalanta’s most important players last season, contributing 20 goals and six assists across all competitions, per Transfermarkt.

Ademola Lookman, Atalanta, Super Eagles, Serie A, Italy
Ademola Lookman could make his first appearance for Atalanta on Sunday against Juventus. Photo by NurPhoto
Source: Getty Images

But his relationship with the Italian club appeared strained when his proposed transfer to Inter Milan collapsed late in the summer transfer window.

Since then, he has been left out of matchday squads and training sessions, sparking rumours of a possible January exit.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Lookman finally returned to full team training this week after resolving his differences with Jurić.

“After being out of Atalanta squad since July, Ademola Lookman returns in team training today. The Nigerian winger spoke to coach Ivan Jurić and clarified his situation,” Romano reported.

Atalanta President confirms fresh start

Club president Antonio Percassi has publicly welcomed Lookman’s return, hinting that the winger could feature in their next Serie A match, Yahoo Sport reports.

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“We know his technical ability, but to play here you have to be 100% focused. When he’s ready, we’ll welcome him back with open arms,” Percassi told reporters.

This statement signals that Atalanta are ready to move on from the summer standoff and rely on Lookman’s attacking quality as they push for a strong league campaign.

Lookman could make comeback against Juventus

Lookman is now in line to make his first appearance of the season this weekend when Atalanta face Juventus away in Turin.

His return will be a boost for a team that has struggled to find goals early in the campaign and is coming off a heavy defeat in the Champions League.

For Nigeria, Lookman’s return to club football is also good news ahead of crucial World Cup qualifiers after he featured for the Super Eagles earlier this month, playing both matches in the September international window.

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With tensions now eased, Atalanta fans will be hoping to see last season’s version of Lookman.

Atalanta coach explains Lookman’s predicament

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Atalanta head coach Ivan Juric has opened up on why Lookman has yet to play for the club this season after his proposed move away was blocked.

Juric added that Lookman has yet to display the work, humility and values that represent Atalanta on a human level, and hence, he has yet to feature, and will also not face Lecce.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Chukwu Ikechukwu avatar

Chukwu Ikechukwu (Sports Editor) Chukwu Ikechukwu Godwin is a seasoned sports journalist with over a decade of experience across radio, TV, and online media. His career has seen him contribute his expertise to prominent media outlets such as Today FM, Wish FM, Silverbird Communications, and Sports Brief. Chukwu earned his Bachelor's degree in Agriculture from the University of Port Harcourt in 2016. Email: Chukwu.ikechukwu@corp.legit.ng