Ademola Lookman finds life again in Spain after Atalanta debacle

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Ademola Lookman’s transfer to Atletico Madrid took everyone by surprise.

After last year’s events, it was clear that the Super Eagles forward would leave Atalanta.

In the summer of 2026, Inter Milan pursued Lookman vigorously, and he even made a transfer request in hopes of facilitating a move from Bergamo.

Lookman remained at Atalanta at the beginning of the season, despite receiving several offers from Inter.

The 28-year-old’s inconsistent presence on the team left him a bit rusty upon his arrival for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in December.

“It was unfortunate. But it helped that he saw the back of Gasperini before his own departure,” JJ Omojuwa, a Nigerian author and publisher, tells ZINGTIE.

“All said, he left Atalanta as a club legend. That’s all there is to that in the end. He left his name in the annals of their history and that of the Europa Cup.”

After Lookman’s remarkable performance at the AFCON, he attracted interest from various clubs. He chose Atletico over Fenerbahce, thereby concluding a tumultuous phase in Italy.

“Spain is the epicentre of football.

“I posted a ‘please don’t!’ reply to a report insinuating he was going to Fenerbahçe.

“I am glad he didn’t in the end. Atletico Madrid is a long distance from the levels of Fenerbahçe, even though the latter are giants in their own right,” Omojuwa insists.

It’s still early to tell, but it seems that Lookman made the right choice.

The forward netted a goal in his first match for Atletico, helping the team to a 5-0 rout of Real Betis in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals.

Lookman, in a demonstration of his commitment to being around for the long haul, netted one and set up another as they thrashed Barcelona 4–0 in the semi-final first leg.

Omojuwa said: “Excellent. Couldn’t have asked for more.

“He brings a lot of flair and productivity to Atletico Madrid.

“Mola is about squeezing out an end product from every passage of play. That’s why he always delivers on the big stage.

“You can see in the goals and assists he is immediately contributing.

“It’s a roaring start. You’d hope he keeps that up because that could Atletico Madrid challenge again.”

For Sunday’s LaLiga match against Rayo Vallecano, it is highly probable that Diego Simeone will choose Lookman, as Atletico aim to maintain their position in the title race.

Lookman will face heightened expectations as a result of his strong beginning.

However, Omojuwa offers a small caution.

He said: “Football, like life, things can always change.

“But on the evidence of what he has done to this point and how he has started in Madrid, you’ve got to believe there is a lot more greatness ahead for our former African Player of the Year.”

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