Ademola Lookman’s turbulent summer transfer saga may have ended, but uncertainty still surrounds his long-term stay at Atalanta despite his strong return to the first team.

The Nigerian forward, whose current contract runs until June 2027, continues to face speculation about his future in Bergamo. Although the chaos of the past few months appears to have subsided, questions remain about how long he will stay with the Italian club.

Lookman had attempted to engineer a move away from Bergamo during the summer, with Inter Milan showing strong interest in securing his services. However, the deal collapsed after both clubs failed to agree on a transfer fee.

The situation led to a brief standoff before Lookman eventually rejoined the squad. His reintegration disrupted Atalanta’s normal rhythm for several weeks, but the club opted for patience before restoring him to the starting lineup.

His return came during the goalless draw against Lazio at the weekend, where head coach Ivan Juric commended the forward’s display despite the lack of goals.
“Lookman? Today we put in a very high-level performance; in the second half, he was excellent,” Juric said after the game. “I also liked how he defended in the closing minutes—his contribution was impeccable.”

Although the reigning African Footballer of the Year appeared short of full match fitness in his first start under Juric, his form is steadily improving. He was close to scoring against Lazio, with Juric noting, “He was unlucky with that header saved by the goalkeeper, but his performance remained top-class.”

Atalanta will be counting on his goals in the coming weeks, especially after another scoreless outing in the Champions League against Slavia Prague. However, discussions over his contract situation are expected to take place before the end of the year.

While his current deal runs for less than two and a half years, both parties are reportedly eager to find common ground and prevent another transfer dispute.

Lookman, who turned 28 on Monday, remains a key asset for Atalanta—both on the pitch and in potential market value, as the club continues to maintain a firm stance on his transfer worth.