Newly appointed Atalanta manager Raffaele Palladino has broken his silence on the future of Nigerian international Ademola Lookman at the Italian club. The 41-year-old tactician, who recently signed a two-year deal with Atalanta, made his position clear ahead of their crucial Serie A clash with Napoli.
Palladino's Direct Communication with Lookman
The former Fiorentina boss revealed that he personally reached out to all squad members during the international break, including the embattled Nigerian forward. Palladino disclosed that Lookman presented himself very well during their telephone conversation, marking a positive start to their professional relationship.
Atalanta announced Palladino's arrival barely 24 hours after sacking previous manager Ivan Juric. The new coach brings experience from his time at Monza, where he managed the youth team before promotion to first-team manager in 2022, and more recently from Fiorentina, where he secured a sixth-place finish and Conference League spot last season.
Performance-Based Evaluation System
Palladino established clear ground rules for the Nigerian star's involvement in the team. The manager emphasized that Lookman's playing time will be determined solely by his performance in training sessions, exactly like every other player in the squad.
This comes at a critical time for the 28-year-old forward, who has struggled to find his rhythm since tendering a transfer request last season. Lookman's relationship with the club became strained under both Gian Piero Gasperini and Juric, culminating in his visible frustration during Atalanta's Champions League encounter with Marseille.
The situation escalated when Juric grabbed Lookman's arm after substituting him for Yunus Musah, further complicating the player's standing at the club. Lookman also missed pre-season activities while attempting to force a move to Inter Milan, and his recent social media activity—removing all references to Atalanta—has fueled speculation about a potential January exit.
Looking Ahead for Nigerian Star
Despite the challenges, Palladino remains focused on rebuilding Atalanta's identity. The manager stressed the need to rediscover the identity of sacrifice and grit that has always defined the Bergamo-based club.
Meanwhile, transfer speculation continues to surround the Nigerian international. Turkish giants Galatasaray have identified Lookman as the perfect attacking reinforcement, valuing him at around €40 million. His creativity and eye for goal could potentially form a devastating partnership with fellow Nigerian Victor Osimhen should the move materialize.
As the January transfer window approaches, all eyes will be on whether Lookman can revive his career under Palladino's guidance or seek fresh opportunities elsewhere. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the next chapter for the talented Nigerian forward in European football.
