Pasqualin: Lookman’s Exit a Blow to Atalanta
Italian football agent Claudio Pasqualin has described Ademola Lookman’s departure from Atalanta as a significant loss for the Serie A side.
The Super Eagles forward arrived in Madrid on Sunday ahead of medicals and is set to sign for Atletico Madrid, who agreed a €40 million deal with Atalanta.
The Spanish giants beat Turkish club Fenerbahce to his signature after the latter failed to provide the required payment guarantees.
Lookman was omitted from Atalanta’s squad against Como to facilitate his move, marking the end of a strained relationship with the club’s owners.
Pasqualin explained that tensions had been brewing since last summer when Lookman’s proposed transfer to Inter Milan collapsed, leaving ties with Atalanta’s hierarchy irreparably damaged.
Speaking to TuttoMercatoWeb, Pasqualin stressed that Lookman’s arrival will bolster Diego Simeone’s attacking options, while acknowledging the difficulty Atalanta will face in replacing him.
‘He would strengthen Simeone’s attack. And it would be a loss for Atalanta. But the relationship with Lookman has been complex since last year. The relationship seemed to be permanently broken. The Percassis don’t bend certain rules. Replacing him is complicated. I think Atalanta also knows that Raspadori can’t solve the situation alone,’ he said.
Meanwhile, Atletico coach Diego Simeone has adjusted Monday’s training schedule to 4pm to help integrate Lookman quickly ahead of Thursday’s Copa del Rey quarter-final against Real Betis.
