Inter reject chance to sign Christopher Nkunku from Chelsea with Serie A giants confident of bridging €5m gap to land Ademola Lookman from Atalanta

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter have submitted a latest offer of €45 million (£38m/$53m), including bonuses, for Lookman and remain confident of securing the player despite Atalanta’s €50m (£43m/$58m) valuation. Inter were offered the chance to sign Nkunku by his entourage with Chelsea valuing the player at €40m (£34m/$46m) but CEO Giuseppe Marotta rejected the deal despite having no other alternatives in case the Lookman deal falls through.

Atalanta signed Lookman from RB Leipzig in 2022 for €10m (£9m/$12m), and he has since become a key figure in Bergamo, highlighted by his hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen in the 2024 Europa League final. His performances have attracted interest from across Europe, including Inter, who have already agreed personal terms with the player on a €4.5m net salary. Lookman has long been pushing for a move through his agent, rejecting offers from Napoli and Atletico Madrid in favour of joining Inter. Atalanta CEO Luca Percassi addressed the situation, saying: “Lookman has been expressing his desire to leave for some time now, it’s no secret. In all our discussions, he was a player who should have left this summer, in keeping with the club’s philosophy of one sale per year.”

Lookman will be the second major attacking departure from Atalanta this summer, as Saudi side Al-Qadsiah completed the purchase of Serie A 2024-25 top scorer and Atalanta striker Mateo Retegui on a lucrative deal.

Lookman continues to train with Atalanta while hoping Inter and the Bergamo club come to an agreement on the transfer fee. Inter meanwhile will hope to leverage the good relation between both clubs to complete the deal.