Ademola Lookman is currently considered unlikely to sign for Arsenal in the summer transfer window.
The footballer is understood to have returned to Italy following his decision to strike from training for several weeks.
Inter Milan were understood to be keen on adding the UEFA Europa League winner to their ranks in the window.
However, it would appear that talks have broken down between Atalanta and Cristian Chivu’s outfit.
Lookman’s future in European football has been shrouded in speculation since he played a key part in Atalanta’s Europa League final triumph in 2024.
The former Everton star infamously registered a hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen in a campaign that also saw Gian Piero Gasperini’s side triumph over Liverpool en route to the final.
Alfredo Pedulla noted that whilst a move to Inter Milan is currently looking unlikely, there is always the possibility of a move abroad.
However, linked outfit Arsenal have yet to escalate previously reported interest in Ademola Lookman.
“It is a story that is difficult to explain because it is also difficult to say that Zalewski, who right now as we are recording this, is undergoing his medicals for Atalanta, that Inter and Atalanta concluded the Zalewski deal without so much as even having spoken about Lookman,” the renowned transfer news journalist exclusively informed The Italian Football Podcast.
“It is hard to wrap one’s head around that. I don’t think so. I think that Lookman can always end up going to Inter. There could also be an option to go abroad but he has promised himself to Inter up until now.
“Last year Arsenal were tracking him, I reported it last summer about Arsenal’s interest, but as far as I know right now at this minute there is no offer from Arsenal.”
Goals, yet again, look set to be a potential point of concern for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal in 2025/26.
It’s still early doors for the Premier League runners-up, and fingers should be firmly off the buzzers after the Gunners grafted their way to a narrow 1-0 win at Old Trafford at the weekend.
But one gets the sense that some extra firepower perhaps wouldn’t go amiss in North London.
That said, Arsenal have already committed significant funds to that objective with the signing of Viktor Gyokeres (to the tune of a guaranteed £55m). Not to mention the fact they’re hardly short of options in central positions.
Lookman can offer an option out wide (where Arsenal are in greater need), but he’s primarily considered most effective playing centrally.
Things aren’t exactly looking up for the Nigeria international after having all but totally burnt bridges with Atalanta with his recent social media activity.
A further decision to train away from the club all the way over in London will have hardly further endeared him to the club hierarchy – never mind the fanbase!
With the window a mere 13 days away from snapping shut on September 1, time is running out for Lookman to get his move, and he can certainly forget about Inter at this rate.
