Newly appointed Atalanta head coach Ivan Juric has made it clear that he wants reigning African Footballer of the Year, Ademola Lookman, to remain in Bergamo amid increasing transfer interest from European giants, according to All Nigeria Soccer.
Juric, who replaced long-serving manager Gian Piero Gasperini, addressed the media for the first time on Monday and wasted no time underlining the importance of squad stability. Speaking at his introductory press conference, the former Torino boss singled out Lookman and Brazilian midfielder Ederson as key players he hopes to keep for the 2025/26 campaign.
“It will be tough in the league, there will be fierce competitors,” Juric said, as quoted by Calcio Napoli. “The idea would be to keep both Lookman and Ederson, even if the club has clear ideas on the market and I have not made any request on players, not even on those I have had.”
Lookman has been pivotal since joining Atalanta in 2022, delivering consistent performances that culminated in a historic moment for the club last season. The 27-year-old Nigerian international netted a stunning hat-trick in the 2024 Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen, securing Atalanta’s first-ever European title.
In total, he has racked up 52 goals and 25 assists in 108 appearances across all competitions—a remarkable return that has not gone unnoticed. With Serie A rivals Napoli and Juventus reportedly monitoring the forward closely, speculation over his future has intensified as the summer transfer window gathers pace.
Despite the growing interest, Juric’s comments suggest that Atalanta are determined to build on their recent success rather than cash in on their prized asset. The coach’s emphasis on retaining Lookman signals an intent to remain competitive domestically and in Europe.
