Atalanta head coach, Ivan Juric, has made it clear he will not beg Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman to play for the club, despite the winger’s recent return to first-team training.
Lookman, 27, had skipped training earlier in the summer after reportedly handing in a transfer request in an attempt to force a move away from Bergamo. His efforts hit a dead end after Atalanta rejected multiple offers, including strong interest from Inter Milan.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of Atalanta’s Serie A clash with Lecce, Juric described the saga as “unpleasant,” but insisted that the club’s values come before any individual player.
“This is an unpleasant, difficult situation. With Lookman, I have a very good relationship, but I don’t have to beg him to play,” Juric said.
“We are Atalanta, and we represent the city. What matters here is work, humility, and strong values. No one is bigger than the club, and I won’t pray to anyone to play.”
The Super Eagles forward, who wrote his name into history with a stunning hat-trick in the 2024 Europa League final, had been on the radar of several European giants during the transfer window. However, no deal was sealed, leaving him to return to Atalanta under tense circumstances.
While Lookman has resumed full training with the squad, Juric confirmed he would not feature in the weekend’s game against Lecce, as the club carefully manages both his reintegration and the team’s dressing room harmony.
Atalanta, who impressed in Serie A last season, will turn to their other attacking options to keep momentum in the opening weeks of the campaign. Meanwhile, Lookman’s long-term future at the Gewiss Stadium remains uncertain, hinging on whether he fully embraces Juric’s philosophy of discipline, humility, and hard work.
