Transfer market: Inter-Lookman isn't done with Atalanta, but... Plan B revealed if Ademola falls through - Behind the scenes

On Friday, Atalanta rejected Inter's offer of €45 million (including bonuses) for Ademola Lookman , and while things were still hot, many thought the deal had fallen through, especially considering Atalanta hadn't set a price for the 28-year-old Nigerian striker. However, as Ivan Zazzaroni reported, a subsequent phone call between Giuseppe Marotta and Luca Percassi further clarified the situation: the Bergamo club knows the player wants to leave for Milan and could accommodate him, but €42 million plus €3 million in bonuses isn't considered a fair amount.

So there seems to be a glimmer of hope for reopening negotiations: Inter have taken a (brief) break to decide whether to relaunch the deal or focus on another target, while Atalanta expects Lookman to return to training on Monday or Tuesday after the calf problem that forced him to miss the friendly in Leipzig. The soap opera shouldn't last much longer, however: the feeling is that next week everything will be clearer, one way or the other.

Inter Milan transfer market: Nkunku is a potential alternative to Lookman. Contacts have been established with the striker's entourage.

Ademola Lookman wants Inter, and for now, the possibility of him moving to Appiano Gentile remains concrete (despite rumors of a return to Atletico Madrid, who recently signed Ruggeri from the club for €22 million). Plan B? The recent rumors about Domenico Berardi or Armand Laurienté from Sassuolo aren't particularly hot: these options aren't at the top of Inter's list. The most popular alternative is Christopher Nkunku (born in 1997) , and in the last few hours there have been new contacts between Nerazzurri executives and the entourage of the French striker, who is under contract with Chelsea until 2029 (he arrived in 2023 from Leipzig for €60 million). After performing well in the Bundesliga (70 goals and 56 assists in 172 appearances), his performances haven't been at the same level with the English club (18 goals and 5 assists in 62 appearances), but there's no doubt about his talent, and he could definitely make a difference in Serie A. Nkunku is not unsellable, could leave London, and is valued at around €45 million.