Galatasaray manager, Okan Buruk, has revealed that his side could not complete a move for Ademola Lookman during the summer transfer window because Atalanta refused to sanction a loan deal for the Nigerian forward.

Buruk admitted that the Turkish champions were eager to bring in Lookman and were hopeful about the transfer before Atalanta shut the door on any loan possibility.

“We were interested in Lookman. We got excited, wondering if it could be a situation similar to Osimhen’s, but Atalanta made it clear they would not let him leave on loan,” Buruk said, as quoted by Turkish football analyst Yağız Sabuncuoğlu.

Lookman, who had pushed for a move away from Serie A, even submitted a transfer request. Despite interest from Inter Milan and Bayern Munich, Atalanta rejected all bids for the Super Eagles star.

The Italian club has since included Lookman in their Champions League squad following his unsuccessful attempt to secure a transfer this summer.