Atalanta include Lookman in Champions League squad

After his failed move to Inter Milan, Atalanta have named attacker Ademola Lookman in their official squad for this season’s UEFA Champions League.

This is despite the Nigerian forward being linked with several clubs that made him attempt to force a move away from La Dea this summer.

Inter were close to signing the Nigerian international, but  Atalanta turned down two offers for him, saying what was offered was below their valuation for the former African footballer of the year.

Despite further making a real push to sign the Nigerian attacker, Inter couldn’t meet Atalanta’s demands for the player. Lookman then went on strike and removed all mention of the club from his social media profiles.

Having tendered a transfer request, there was speculative interest from Turkey and a feeble loan bid from the German side Bayern Munich late in the window, which closed on Monday.

Being named in their official squad shows that La Dea look to repair relations with Lookman.

The winger, in a statement before going on strike, said he had been promised that he would be allowed to join top clubs if a reasonable offer was made for him.

However, Atalanta had only one notable absence from the squad, which was the injured Dutch left wing-back Mitchel Bakker.

With the summer transfer window shut, it’s left to see how Lookman will react to his disappointment on the pitch when he wears the Atalanta jersey again and he is called to action.

Although it can’t be verified if he has been training on his own, as there could be a fitness issue due to his absence in training.

As the season had already begun, there will be ample time to see how he turns out this season and probably wait for another opportunity to come in January.

The key to making a huge profit on him will be to maintain a high level of form.