Former Italian footballer Ciro Ferrara has stirred fresh debate after claiming that Nigeria international Ademola Lookman would have struggled for game time had he completed his much-publicized summer move to Inter Milan.
Lookman’s potential switch to Inter dominated headlines throughout the summer transfer window, with the forward reportedly informing Atalanta of his desire to leave. The saga dragged on for weeks, reaching a boiling point when Lookman publicly demanded a transfer and boycotted training for more than a week in an attempt to force the move.
Despite Inter agreeing personal terms with the Nigerian — including a proposed five-year deal — Atalanta CEO Antonio Percassi refused to approve the transfer, maintaining that while Lookman had been promised an exit in 2025, the club would not sell him to a Serie A rival.
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The decision enraged the Super Eagles star, who accused the club of going back on their word. In protest, he embarked on a two-week strike, skipped training sessions without medical justification, and wiped all Atalanta-related content from his social media accounts.
Undeterred, Atalanta rejected Inter’s final €45m offer, prompting the Nerazzurri to abandon negotiations and redirect their attention elsewhere.
Now, with the dust settled, Ferrara has reignited the conversation, suggesting that even if the move had materialized, Lookman might have struggled to fit into Cristian Chivu’s tactical system — and would likely have spent most of his time on the bench.
“Lookman would have been on the bench at Inter. To insert it, you would have had to change a lot, starting with the formation,” the 58-year-old was quoted by lnerazzurro.
“I don’t know if there were the right characteristics. Even if he is an important player, you should have changed a consolidated set-up and tactical knowledge already rooted in the starters.”
Lookman has featured three times for Atalanta so far this season but has yet to register a goal or an assist. The Nigerian forward earned his first Serie A start of the campaign against Como on Saturday but endured a difficult outing, eventually being substituted in the 73rd minute.
The Nigeria Super Eagles Star and the Africa Footballer if Year, Ademola Lookman earned his first start match in Serie A this season as Atalanta drew 1-1 against Como at the New Balance Arena on Saturday evening.
Atalanta are coming in off the back of a 2-1 comeback victory over Club Brugge in the Champions League, a game which brought Ademola Lookman’s first start of the 2025-26 campaign. He is given the nod again against Como on Saturday evening.
Atalanta took the lead in the 6th minute by the midweek goal scorer Lszar Samardzic after settling the ball in the net from his left foot. An excellent lob by Maximo Perrone from Como using the left foot restore parity in the 19th minute.
Ademola Lookman was replaced by Nikola Krstovic in the 73rd minute after earning 83.3% pass accuracy from a shot on target and two blocked shots as his side fell to a home draw against Como.
Meanwhile, Como has gone with summer signing Martin Baturina alongside Nico Paz in the attacking roles behind Anastasios Douvikas at centre-forward.
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