Super Eagle’s Lookman Pushes for Atalanta Exit

The Nigerian national team’s star winger has publicly intensified his push to leave the Italian club, submitting a transfer request amid reported tensions with Atalanta’s management. Lookman, the 2024 African Footballer of the Year, accused the club of breaking promises and subjecting him to poor treatment, citing a rejected €42 million plus €3 million add-on offer from Inter Milan that aligned with prior agreements. His Instagram statement and social media purge of Atalanta references have fueled speculation, with some teammates and fans expressing support for his stance, though no formal team statement from the Super Eagles has emerged. The transfer saga has drawn attention, with Lookman’s absence from recent Atalanta matches and his apology to fans suggesting a rift, yet the Super Eagles’ official position remains unclear. Reports indicate individual players and former Nigerian football figures have voiced sympathy for Lookman’s situation, particularly given his pivotal role in Nigeria’s recent successes, but this falls short of a unified team endorsement. Atalanta’s insistence on a €50 million fee, contrasted with Inter’s interest and Lookman’s desire for a move, keeps the situation fluid, with no concrete evidence yet of the Super Eagles collectively backing his exit demand