Lookman forces his departure from Atalanta: Should Barça have signed him?

Ademola Lookman wants to take the next step in his career by becoming an Inter Milan player. However, Atalanta refused to accept 42 million euros fixed plus 3 in variables for the player, so the relationship between the parties is going through its worst moment, leading the attacker to request the 'transfer request'.

According to the latest information, given this scenario, the left winger feels confused, especially after a prior agreement was reached to facilitate his departure during the current summer market.

However, everything indicates that the management of the Bergamo team changed its mind at the last moment, a decision that has generated much discomfort in the Nigerian, who has already chosen to delete from his social networks all the photos that linked him to 'la Dea' and also issue a statement explaining the decision of his request.

Lookman, angry, requests his departure from Atalanta

"After many months of broken promises and what I consider mistreatment towards me, both as a human being and as a professional footballer; unfortunately I feel that I have no choice but to raise my voice and say that enough is enough," Lookman recently stated.

The 'transfer request' is basically a written request from a player for his current team to let him leave. Of course, it also acts as a measure of pressure, since the footballer's discontent is made public, with the intention of accelerating a possible transfer.

In this context, the player also stated that he has always proudly represented the team's colors and has given everything in his worst moments. Furthermore, he states that he "does not understand" Atalanta's position, for which he requested the 'transfer request'. 

"Unfortunately, the club is blocking the opportunity for reasons I don't understand. I can confirm that I have submitted a formal transfer request," he argued.

Barça considered Lookman as a possible reinforcement

Although the name of Ademola Lookman was valued very positively within the sports management of FC Barcelona, the club, apparently, never made concrete moves for the 27-year-old attacker.

The '11' emerged as a possible option after the failed incorporation of Nico Williams, who ended up renewing with Athletic Club. After this, Barça evaluated other alternatives such as Luis Díaz, who signed with Bayern Munich until 2029, and Marcus Rashford, who ended up arriving at the Catalan team on loan until next year.

With the signing of the Englishman, Barça covered the need to reinforce the left wing. Now, according to various Italian media, the position adopted by the 27-year-old forward has not been well received by the Atalanta management, which could further complicate negotiations with Inter Milan, the main interested party in signing him.

Amid the growing discomfort, everything indicates that the Nigerian attacker will not wear the Bergamo team's shirt again. In this argumentative order, the '11' would already have an agreement with the 'nerazzurri' team. It consists of a four-season contract with a salary of 4.5 million euros.

In contrast, Atalanta would be subject to the winger's contract that expires in the summer of 2027. Furthermore, according to Transfermarkt, the player's price is around 60 'kilos', 18 million more than what Inter would be offering.