Ademola Lookman of Atalanta reacts during the UEFA Champions League match. Picture credit: Jonathan Moscrop / IMago
Atalanta’s CEO Luca Percassi has stated the conditions of a first-team return for Super Eagles attacker, Ademola Lookman, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 27-year-old was keen on leaving Bergamo this summer, with San Siro as a dream destination, but Atalanta stated they wouldn’t let him join any Italian club.
In response, the CAF Player of the Year absconded from training and pre-season fixtures, before he was reinstated to first team training just after the September International break.
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Despite Lookman’s return to the first team, Atalanta’s head coach Ivan Juric decided against including the former RB Leipzig man in his squad for the games against Lecce and Paris Saint-Germain.
Atalanta CEO states condition for Lookman’s return
Soccernet.ng earlier reported that Lookman will be in Atalanta’s squad for the trip to Turin as La Dea take on Torino on Sunday.
However, Mr Percassi has stated it won’t be a smooth journey here on in, as Lookman must be totally focused to be an Atalanta player again.
“You cannot go back and change the past, so we will focus on the present and future,” Percassi told Sky Sport Italia.
“We all know how good Ademola is, but also that in order to play for Atalanta, you must be 100 per cent focused.
“When he feels ready to do that, we are waiting for him with open arms,” the 45-year-old concluded.
Atalanta have won just one game this season, and Lookman’s return to the setup will be a huge boost for them, considering they lost their top goalscorer, Mario Retegui, to a Saudi Pro League club.