By Nurudeen Obalola
Ademola Lookman will not be sold by Atalanta in January despite growing interest in the Nigeria international.
Atalanta President Antonio Percassi stressed over the weekend that the club were not open to letting the Super Eagles star leave, at least not until the summer.
“Our plan is not to change anything in the January window,” Percassi said when asked about Lookman’s future.
Lookman has been the standout player for Atalanta as they have got themselves involded in the early Serie A title race.
The 27-year-old was on target on Friday night as Atalanta defeated AC Milan 2-1 to go to the top of the table.
He has contributed an impressive 10 goals and five assists in 17 Serie A appearances so far in the current campaign.
Lookman is believed to have attracted the interest of some of Europe’s big hitters, including Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United and Chelsea, having reluctantly stayed beyond the August transfer window.
His current contract is due to expire in the summer of 2026.
Meanwhile, Lookman has been backed for the CAF Awards African Player of the Year prize by Congo’s Cedric Bakambu.
“It’s difficult because now Mohamed Salah is playing very well but if I have to choose, my opinion, I’ll say Lookman, the player of Atalanta,” the Real Betis star told Sporty Show.
“He deserves it but after we will see.”
Salah is however not in the running for the award, with Lookman in the five-man shortlist along with Simon Adingra, Serhou Guirassy, Ronwen Williams and Achraf Hakimi.
