Atalanta Should Allow Lookman Go
BY RAYMOND NWADUBA
The frosty relationship between reigning African Player of the Year, Ademola Lookman and his Italian club, Atalanta, signals the end of a marriage that has otherwise been very romantic, sweet and eventful when the going was good.
But like every relationship, once the love is lost it’s usually very difficult to regain. Lookman loved Atalanta with his heart which was evident in the way he played and defended the badge before their many troubling issues.
Notable amongst them was his missing the 2025/2026 pre- season with the club in protest to force his transfer away from the club following their estranged relationship which has broken down. He was A.W.O.L in London until they tried to patch things
again and he returned.
However, the altercation with the manager of Atalanta, Juric during a recent UEFA champions league game against Marseille, has further revealed how fragile the make up is.
Juric substituted Lookman in the 75th minute of Atalanta’s Champions League match against Marseille. Lookman appeared to say something to his boss as he walked past him, prompting Juric to turn and grab him by the arm, while responding angrily. Though, a member of Atalanta staff intervened to separate Lookman and Juric.
Atalanta has had their fair share of love from this fighter and trojan, Lookman, therefore needless keeping him again, because it’s tantamount to trying to squeeze water from the rock. They should allow him leave as his heart is no longer with the team. A lot of water has passed under the bridge, so much so that it is unwise to keep an unhappy fellow in their ranks, which has a way of polluting the dressing room.
Atalanta should do the needful by accepting the player’s transfer request, and must also be open to offers that meet their valuation of the player. Holding the player against his wish could be counter productive.
But this also highlights the struggles and challenges African players suffer abroad. Victor Osimhen went through similar excruciating ordeal or experience before he exited Napoli. Offers after offers from big clubs, including Chelsea were turned down by the Italian club, a major reason he ended up at Galatassary where luckily he’s currently making headlines which is attracting new suitors like Barcelona and Paris Saint Germain.
This buttresses the need for administrators of the game in Africa to fix local leagues because if the leagues across Africa are working, most African players would not have the need to play outside their country or continent.
Galatassary is reported to be keen on signing the Super Eagles winger, Lookman to team up with his compatriot, Osimhen, a move which can happen as early as January once Atalanta is ready to come to the negotiation table.
It’s in their best interest, (Atalanta) to cash in on the player right now, rather than allow him see off his contract and leave a free agent. Remember the case of Kylian Mbappe with Paris Saint Germain (PSG) before he headed to the Bernabeu to join Spanish giants, Real Madrid.
World football governing body, FIFA should also look at how they can in some cases get involved as the highest football body in resolving prolonged players/clubs imbroglio without running foul of being accused of meddling in their internal affairs by the clubs.
But leaving players at the mercy of these powerful clubs, certainly doesn’t seem fair particularly if the player has a genuine case but being witch -hunted or frustrated by the club.
