Super Eagles winger Ademola Lookman has been included in Atalanta’s 2025-26 UEFA Champions League squad despite missing several weeks of training amid intense transfer speculation during the summer window, Bold Sports reports.
The 27-year-old was heavily linked with a move away from Bergamo in search of a new challenge, but a transfer failed to materialise as Atalanta held firm on their valuation.
Inter Milan came closest to securing Lookman’s signature, agreeing personal terms with the player before tabling a €45 million offer with €42 million guaranteed and €3 million in add-ons. However, Atalanta rejected the bid, insisting they would only consider offers in the region of €50 million.
Tottenham Hotspur also explored the possibility of signing the Nigerian international but opted against pursuing a deal after completing moves for Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig and Randal Kolo Muani from Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day.
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Meanwhile, Bayern Munich made a late attempt to sign Lookman, submitting a proposal for a loan deal with an option to buy in the final 48 hours of the transfer window. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Atalanta did not even respond to Bayern’s approach.
Reports suggested Lookman could explore a switch to the Turkish Super Lig, but Fabrizio dismissed those claims, stating that the player and his representatives never considered such a move.
With the Saudi Pro League and a few other transfer markets still open, a late move remains theoretically possible. However, sources indicate that a switch away from Europe’s top leagues is highly unlikely, with Lookman determined to continue competing at the highest level.
Lookman’s future in Bergamo remains in doubt following a breakdown in relations between the player and the club after they rejected Inter’s bid. However, with limited options on the table, he could remain an Atalanta player until at least January.
Atalanta qualified for the 2025-26 Champions League after finishing third in Serie A last season with 74 points. Lookman played a pivotal role in their Champions League campaign last season, registering five goals and one assist before the team’s elimination in the playoffs against Club Brugge.
Atalanta have already discovered their league phase opponents for this season’s Champions League and they will aim to have a better campaign under new head coach Ivan Juric. The Italian side are set to welcome Chelsea, Club Brugge, Sparta Prague, and Athletic Bilbao to Bergamo.
On the road, they will face some of Europe’s heavyweights, including Paris Saint-Germain, Eintracht Frankfurt, Marseille, and Union Saint-Gilloise, in a group of fixtures that promises high drama.
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