The Nerazzurri are determined to secure the Nigerian international's signature, viewing him as a key piece to bolster their attacking options for the upcoming season.
Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia reported that Inter have already seen a 40 million euros offer rejected by Atalanta, who countered with a 50 million euros valuation. Undeterred, Inter are ready to bridge the gap with a fresh bid of around 43 million euros, potentially including add-ons to sweeten the deal.
"Inter are serious about Lookman. They've made it clear they want him, but they're not willing to drag this out endlessly," said transfer expert Fabrizio Romano in a post on X.
The timing of the next offer is critical, with Inter keen to avoid a prolonged saga. The Corriere dello Sport highlighted that Tuesday's Lega Serie A assembly provides the perfect stage for negotiations, as Inter's president, Beppe Marotta, and Atalanta's CEO, Luca Percassi, will both be in attendance. Sky Sport Italia noted that Inter are unlikely to exceed 43 million euros in their next proposal, signaling their intent to strike a balance between ambition and fiscal discipline.
Lookman, 27, has made no secret of his desire to join Inter, having already agreed personal terms on a multi-year contract worth approximately 4 million euros per season. "Lookman has reached total agreement with Inter and is pushing to leave," confirmed Romano in another X update, emphasizing the player's determination to force the move.
Atalanta, known for their tough negotiating stance, as seen in last summer's drawn-out transfer of Teun Koopmeiners to Juventus, are holding firm but may soften their position given Lookman's resolve.
Inter's sporting director, Piero Ausilio, has publicly backed the pursuit, stating on July 18, "It's no secret, we are interested. We've spoken with Atalanta and made our expectations clear."
The Nerazzurri see Lookman's pace and versatility as ideal for their tactical setup, particularly in a potential 3-4-2-1 formation under coach Cristian Chivu, where he could complement forwards like Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram.
Atalanta, however, are not making it easy. Their attempt to include Inter's young striker Francesco Pio Esposito in the deal was met with resistance, with Sky Sport Italia describing it as a "provocation" that caused talks to stall temporarily. Despite this, recent reports suggest Atalanta are open to reconsidering their 50 million euros asking price, especially with Lookman's contract nearing its final year in 2026.
The coming days will be pivotal. With Lookman recovering from a minor injury and expected to be fit by the end of July, Inter are eager to finalize the transfer swiftly to integrate him into their pre-season plans.
As Nico Schira noted on X, "A meeting next week between Inter and Atalanta for Ademola Lookman is expected, with Inter ready to offer 45 million euros and bonuses to close the deal."
For Inter, securing Lookman would be a statement of intent as they aim to defend their Serie A title and compete in the Champions League. For Atalanta, the challenge is balancing their financial demands with the player's clear desire to move. Tuesday's meeting could be the moment this transfer saga takes a decisive turn.
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