Lookman Transfer Saga: Club, Agent Chasing Selfish Interests – Atalanta Boss Juric

Lookman Transfer Saga: Club, Agent Chasing Selfish Interests – Atalanta Boss Juric

Sampson Adedeji

Atalanta manager Ivan Juric has hit out at the ongoing Ademola Lookman transfer saga, stressing that the biggest victims of the drawn-out standoff are the supporters, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Juric, who begins his reign as Atalanta head coach on Sunday against newly-promoted Pisa, expressed disappointment over how the situation has overshadowed the club’s summer and affected the fans.

“When a player tries to force a club’s hand, it is the fans who suffer the most,” Juric said during his press conference.

“They are left to deal with the consequences when all they truly want is passion and heart. Clubs and agents protect their own interests, but for the fans, it’s always a battle between emotion and reason.”

The controversy has dominated headlines after the 27-year-old Nigerian forward went AWOL for two weeks in a bid to push through a move to Inter Milan. Lookman had formally submitted a transfer request following Inter’s €45m bid, which Atalanta rejected.

He then left for the UK without permission, training on his own before returning to Bergamo.

For now, the winger remains an Atalanta player, but uncertainty lingers as he continues to wait for a new offer from abroad.