The Chief Executive Officer of Atalanta Football Club, Antonio Percassi, has stated that Nigeria’s winger, Ademola Lookman, is only allowed to leave the club this summer, but only to a super top club outside of Italy.

In a social media post on Monday, Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano quoted Percassi as saying, “The pact with Lookman was made one year ago when we rejected €20m from PSG.

“We told him: we’ll let you leave in 2025 for a super top club and not in Italy. Now, the situation [with Inter] is different… and as always, it’s us deciding.”

The forward recently handed in a transfer request, confirming weeks of speculation surrounding his future at the Serie A club.

In an emotional and strongly-worded statement on Sunday, Lookman revealed that he has endured months of behind-the-scenes frustrations.

“I have given absolutely everything over the past three years at Atalanta. Not just as a footballer but as a person. I’ve always worn the shirt with pride and tried to represent this club and the city of Bergamo with heart, passion and dedication”, the Europa League hero said.

But the 27-year-old winger said he felt forced to go public after enduring what he termed “broken promises” and “poor treatment” from the club management despite agreeing with them in principle on a possible departure if a fair offer came in. (Daily Trust)