- Atalanta head coach Raffaele Palladino confirmed Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman asked to leave the club for Atletico Madrid
- Lookman’s €40m transfer came after Atalanta initially wanted him to stay, but the winger sought a new challenge
- The club supported the move, marking a major step for Lookman’s club and international career
Atalanta head coach, Raffaele Palladino, has confirmed that Nigeria international Ademola Lookman requested to leave the club, following his transfer to Spanish side Atletico Madrid for €40 million, according to DAILY POST.
Atalanta had reportedly wanted to retain Lookman until the end of the season, but the winger pushed for the move after receiving an attractive offer from Atletico Madrid. The club complied, prioritising the player’s wishes.
Palladino explained: “Lookman had this offer towards the end of the transfer session, he asked to leave and wanted a change of scenery, so the club made him happy,” speaking to Sport Mediaset.
Last summer, Atalanta rejected approaches from Inter Milan, which led Lookman to submit a transfer request and go AWOL. However, this time, there were no complications, as the club was willing to support the player’s decision.
Lookman leaves Atalanta as one of their key attacking talents, and his move to Atletico Madrid marks a major step in his career, both for club and international ambitions.