Lookman cuts ties with Atalanta after coach row, sparks transfer frenzy

When Ademola Lookman deleted every post related to Atalanta BC and unfollowed their social media accounts, it wasn’t just a digital cleanup—it was a public severance. The 28-year-old Nigerian international, once the heartbeat of the Bergamo-based club, had had enough. The breaking point came during their 1-0 UEFA Champions League win over Olympique de Marseille on November 6, 2025, at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille, France. Lookman, who’d been substituted in the 75th minute, erupted on the touchline. Witnesses say he shouted directly at head coach Ivan Juric, gesturing wildly. Club staff had to physically pull them apart. Two days later, Atalanta BC fired Juric—and his entire staff. The timing wasn’t coincidence. It was a reckoning.

The Fracture on the Touchline

Lookman’s frustration had been building for months. Since joining Atalanta BC from RB Leipzig in August 2022, he’d delivered 53 goals and 25 assists in 127 appearances. He scored a hat-trick in their 2024 Europa League final win over Bayer Leverkusen. He was named African Footballer of the Year in December 2024. But the 2025/26 season? A disaster. Just one goal in nine starts. The pressure mounted. And when Juric pulled him off in the 75th minute of a tight Champions League clash, it felt less like tactical adjustment and more like public rejection.

"He looked at me like I was a liability," Lookman reportedly told close associates afterward. "I’ve carried this team. Now they treat me like I’m past my sell-by date."

The Fallout: A Coach Gone, a Star Ready to Leave

The dismissal of Ivan Juric on November 10, 2025, was swift—and shocking. Atalanta didn’t wait for a board meeting. They moved immediately. The club statement cited "a breakdown in leadership alignment," but insiders say it was Lookman’s outburst that forced their hand. The club couldn’t afford to lose their star player. So they removed the man who’d angered him.

But it wasn’t enough. Lookman didn’t just delete posts—he erased his digital presence with the club. No more hashtags. No more reposts. No more likes. He even unfollowed the team’s Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok accounts. The message was clear: I’m done.

"This isn’t just about a substitution," said veteran Serie A journalist Eleonora Trotta on CMIT Live. "It’s about trust. Lookman gave Atalanta his peak years. Now he feels used. And he’s done playing nice."

The Transfer Battle Begins

Enter the suitors. Tottenham Hotspur FC, led by executive Fabio Paratici, have made Lookman their top January target. Paratici, who knows Italian football inside out from his Juventus days, sees a player who’s still in his prime—despite the slow start. "He’s got pace, finishing, and hunger," one source told TEAMtalk. "He just needs a fresh start."

But he’s not alone. Atlético Madrid CF have quietly submitted a €45 million offer, according to Fichajes.net. Their manager, Diego Simeone, values physicality and grit—qualities Lookman has in spades. Meanwhile, AS Roma are monitoring the situation closely, with sporting director Tiago Pinto reportedly intrigued by the possibility of a low-risk, high-reward signing.

Lookman’s agent, according to Punch Nigeria, has already begun informal talks with all three clubs. The January 2026 transfer window opens on January 1, 2026—and Lookman is determined to be gone before then.

Why This Matters Beyond Bergamo

This isn’t just a player-coach spat. It’s a case study in modern football’s emotional economy. Lookman isn’t a malcontent. He’s a proven performer who gave everything to a club that, by his account, reneged on promises. His August 2025 transfer request—reportedly blocked by Atalanta’s board—wasn’t just about money. It was about respect. And now, with Juric gone and the club in disarray, the power has shifted.

Atalanta’s next match? Against US Sassuolo Calcio at their Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo on November 10, 2025. Lookman is expected to start. But he won’t be singing the club anthem. He won’t be celebrating goals with teammates who still wear the blue-and-black. He’s already mentally checked out.

From London to Lagos: A Career Rebuilt

Lookman’s journey has been anything but linear. Born in London, he represented England at U-17 and U-19 levels before switching allegiance to Nigeria in 2021. His early career was a string of failures: a forgettable spell at Everton FC, a loan at Fulham FC that yielded just one goal, another at Leicester City FC that ended in disappointment. Even his time at RB Leipzig was underwhelming.

Atalanta changed everything. For three years, he thrived under Gian Piero Gasperini’s system. He became the club’s most dangerous attacking outlet. He was the man fans chanted for. Now, he’s the man they’re desperate to keep—too late.