Atalanta coach Jurić breaks silence on Lookman transfer dispute

Atalanta begin their Serie A campaign on Sunday against Pisa at the Gewiss Stadium, but the build-up has been clouded by the transfer row surrounding Ademola Lookman.

The Nigerian forward, crowned African Footballer of the Year in 2024, returned to Bergamo on Tuesday after being fined for 15 days of absence following a collapsed move to Inter Milan.

He is currently training away from the main squad until the summer transfer window closes.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, new Atalanta coach Ivan Jurić compared Lookman’s case to similar incidents elsewhere in Europe.

“I think this situation has been created in recent years now with various players, not just Atalanta, we also see Newcastle, Brentford, and the ones that are really penalised are the fans,” Jurić said.

“Because in any case the clubs and agents look after their own interests. And instead the fans put their emotions and heart into it and are left feeling bad.

“And then there is always a struggle between total honesty, emotion, reasoning about what’s best to achieve results, and the game in the end is what you want in your club.”

Lookman, who missed pre-season matches and will not feature against Pisa or Parma, has been included in Nigeria’s provisional squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa.

Concerns remain, however, about his match fitness ahead of international duty.