Atalanta Boss Juric Concerned as Lookman Boycotts Training Amid Inter Milan Transfer Standoff
Atalanta head coach Ivan Juric has voiced his growing concern over the potential departure of Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman, warning that the club risks losing up to 90 per cent of its goal output from last season.
Lookman has been absent from training for more than a week after publicly criticising the club’s decision to reject a €45 million bid from Inter Milan. The 26-year-old striker, who played a key role in Atalanta’s attacking success last season, has since staged a training boycott, leaving Juric with a significant headache ahead of the new Serie A campaign.
Speaking to L’Eco di Bergamo, Juric admitted the situation was disappointing but praised Lookman for his honesty prior to his walkout.
“Ademola was very fair with me, he explained his thoughts,” Juric said. “We just have to accept the situation. It’s sad that it got to this point.”
The Croatian coach is now facing the daunting task of rebuilding his attack, with Lookman’s future hanging in the balance and fellow forward Mateo Retegui already having departed for Saudi Arabia. Retegui, last season’s top scorer, struck up an effective partnership with Lookman, and the duo were responsible for a significant portion of Atalanta’s goals.
“We lost players who provided 80–90 per cent of our goals, and it won’t be easy to replace them,” Juric added, acknowledging the scale of the offensive void left behind.
As transfer talks remain stalled, Lookman’s standoff continues to cast a shadow over Atalanta’s pre-season preparations, with pressure mounting on the club’s management to resolve the impasse before the season begins.
