Nigerian international Ademola Lookman is set to face disciplinary sanctions from Atalanta after his attempt to force through a move to Inter Milan ended in failure.
The 26-year-old winger staged a two-week training strike, refusing to report at Zingonia or present a medical certificate, as he tried to push for his dream transfer. However, the deal collapsed after Atalanta rejected Inter’s latest €45 million bid, forcing the Nerazzurri to walk away.
Lookman has since returned to Atalanta’s training headquarters, where he held talks with CEO Antonio Percassi regarding his future. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the club remains disappointed by his actions and will impose sanctions, including fines and wage deductions for his absence.
“They will not let it slide. Sanctions are coming,” La Gazzetta reported.
The club also expects Lookman to issue a public apology as part of the disciplinary process, according to Calciomercato.
⚡ Why the Transfer Collapsed
Although Lookman had agreed personal terms with Inter on a five-year contract, Atalanta’s CEO stood firm against selling him to a domestic rival. The stance left Lookman furious, accusing the club of breaking their word to allow him leave in 2025.
In protest, the forward deleted all Atalanta-related photos from his social media pages. Despite this, Atalanta remained unmoved and Inter eventually pulled out of negotiations.
⚽ Impact on Atalanta
Head coach Ivan Juric is concerned about losing attacking firepower, especially after the sale of last season’s Serie A top scorer Mateo Retegui.
Juric reportedly warned that losing Lookman too would mean the club would “lose 90 percent of their goals.”
🔮 What Next for Lookman?
Despite the disciplinary measures, Atalanta are unlikely to alienate one of their top stars completely. With the Africa Cup of Nations in December and the need to protect his market value, the club is considering a reintegration plan that could see Lookman restored to the starting XI once the situation stabilizes.
The coming weeks will determine whether the relationship can be repaired or if this marks the beginning of a long-term standoff.
