Inter Milan Eye Ademola Lookman Transfer as Talks Heat Up Over €50m Valuation

Inter Milan Ramp Up Pursuit of Ademola Lookman

The transfer window drama is reaching boiling point, and all eyes are on Inter Milan as they try to snatch Ademola Lookman from Atalanta. If you’ve been following Italian football, you know Lookman was a force last season—earning the prestigious 2024 African Ballon d’Or after dazzling Serie A with goals, assists, and electric performances that turned him into a household name for Nerazzurri fans. No surprise, then, that Inter are determined to make him part of their next campaign.

Word from sources close to the negotiations, including well-known journalists like Gianluca Di Marzio and Fabrizio Romano, is that Lookman himself wants the move. He’s already hashed out personal terms. But here’s where it gets messy: Atalanta are hanging tough, insisting on a €50 million price tag, despite Inter’s willingness to trigger a €40 million clause tied to his contract. That leaves a €10 million difference—big enough to stall the deal and force everyone to hold their breath as meetings and calls continue behind closed doors.

Why Inter Milan Want Lookman—And What's Holding Up the Move

After finishing as runners-up in last season’s UEFA Champions League, Inter don’t want to let momentum slip. Their attack, already impressive, depends on fresh faces who can break games open. Lookman, lightning-quick and versatile, ticks all the boxes for new manager Simone Inzaghi. He has shown he can adapt in tight games, playing both down the wings and through the middle—an asset Inter are eager to add as they aim to win both domestic and European trophies next season.

To sweeten the deal, Inter’s leaders are making this a straight cash offer—no swapping players, no complicated add-ons—proving how much they want Lookman in Milan. Lookman’s camp is urging both clubs to push the negotiations over the line. But Atalanta, fresh off a solid season and well aware that other European clubs are watching, know they have a prize asset and are showing little sign of dropping the price. Inter, meanwhile, aren’t prepared to wait forever. If they can’t get Atalanta to budge, they’ve reportedly started eyeing alternatives like Porto’s Nico Gonzalez. This bit of brinkmanship is classic transfer season stuff, with both clubs gambling on who will blink first.

For Inter fans, the hope is that Lookman’s desire to leave, and senior management’s focus on this transfer, will be enough to break the deadlock. For Atalanta, holding onto their star, or extracting maximum value, is a rare position of strength. One thing is clear: the Lookman saga is only just getting started, and it’s set to shape the ambitions—and maybe the results—of both clubs for months to come.

Author: Themba Sweet

I am a news journalist with a passion for writing about daily news in Africa. With over 20 years of experience in the field, I strive to deliver accurate and insightful stories. My work aims to inform and educate the public on the continent’s current affairs and developments.

7 Comments

Mark L said:

July 19, 2025 AT 02:14

Lookman to Inter?? Bro, this is gonna be 🔥🔥🔥
Orlaith Ryan said:

July 20, 2025 AT 09:20

Yes!! Finally!! Inter need this energy!!
Arvind Pal said:

July 21, 2025 AT 08:39

Atalanta holding out for 50m is smart but Inter won't fold easy
John Bartow said:

July 22, 2025 AT 11:18

You know what's wild about this whole situation? It's not just about the money or the stats-it's about identity. Lookman isn't just a winger, he's a cultural phenomenon in Serie A right now. He's the kind of player who makes fans stand up in the 89th minute even when the game's tied. He brings chaos in the best way possible. Inter's attack has been clinical but predictable, like a well-tuned engine that needs a turbo boost. Lookman is that turbo. And Atalanta? They're not just being greedy-they're protecting the legacy of their club. They've built him from a loanee to a Ballon d'Or contender, and now they're holding the keys to a global asset. The €10M gap? That's not a negotiation, that's a philosophical divide. One club sees value in immediate impact, the other sees value in legacy and future leverage. And honestly? If Inter walk away, they're not just losing a player-they're losing the chance to redefine their identity for the next decade. But if they blink first? Then Atalanta gets the crown jewel and the world watches as they rebuild with cash. This isn't football. This is Shakespeare with cleats.
Chris Richardson said:

July 24, 2025 AT 07:20

I’ve been watching Lookman since his Ajax days and honestly, he’s one of those players who just makes the game fun to watch. Inter’s attack has been solid but a bit too structured-Lookman brings that unpredictability that can turn a 1-0 win into a 3-0 demolition. And the fact he’s already agreed personal terms? That’s the biggest sign this deal is close. Atalanta’s holding out is understandable, but if they push too hard, someone else might swoop in with a bigger offer. Inter’s got the cash, the ambition, and the fanbase behind this. They’ll get him.
toby tinsley said:

July 24, 2025 AT 09:52

It's interesting how these transfers reveal the soul of a club. Inter are acting like a team that’s hungry for glory-no compromises, no distractions. Atalanta, on the other hand, feel like a club that’s learned to value its own soul. They didn’t just develop Lookman; they gave him space to breathe, to grow, to become something bigger than the sum of his parts. There’s a quiet dignity in refusing to sell too soon. But football is a business, and dignity doesn’t pay the bills. The real question isn’t who will blink-it’s whether either club can afford not to move. The answer, I suspect, lies not in the price tag, but in the quiet moments between the negotiations-the phone calls, the texts, the glances across a table. Those are the moments that decide legacies.
Jacquelyn Barbero said:

July 25, 2025 AT 13:04

I just hope Inter don’t get distracted by this. Lookman’s great, but if they spend all their energy on him and miss out on defensive depth, they’ll regret it. Also, 🤞🤞🤞 he doesn’t get injured in pre-season!