Inter keen to close Lookman deal in coming days

Inter president Giuseppe Marotta has confirmed Ademola Lookman is a key target for the Nerazzurri, who hope to agree a deal for the Atalanta forward in the coming days.

Lookman has emerged as one of the brightest attacking talents in Serie A since swapping RB Leipzig for Bergamo in 2022, helping La Dea capture the Europa League trophy in 2023-24.

Across his three seasons in Serie A, Lookman has registered 57 goal involvements (39 goals, 18 assists) in 93 league appearances, with only Inter striker Lautaro Martinez (57 goals, 12 assists) registering more.

Lookman has been expected to leave Atalanta since becoming embroiled in a public row with Gian Piero Gasperini in February, despite the coach departing to take charge of Roma in June.

Inter have emerged as suitors for the Nigerian as they bid to regain the Scudetto from Napoli, with a €45m fee mooted, and Marotta confirmed their interest on Monday.

"I can't hide that he (Lookman) is an important target. However, he is an Atalanta player, and we have the utmost respect for them," Marotta told reporters.

"We need to raise the bar and not be afraid to ask for good players. It is too early to say what will happen, but it is true that he is a player in our notebook."

Asked if the next few days would be pivotal in getting the deal done, he responded: "Certainly, yes.

"With the coach, we have searched for players who have a certain flexibility and give him the opportunity to play multiple formations.

"It is clear that Lookman represents a suitable profile, he is not the only one, however. There are also other names. I won't hide the fact that within two or three days, we will reach the conclusion of the stand-off with Atalanta.

"If the conditions are there and Atalanta are willing, we will try to activate a concrete negotiation, otherwise there will be a different solution."

When Inter lost 5-0 to Paris Saint-Germain in May's Champions League final, the Nerazzurri's starting lineup had an average age of 30 years and 242 days, compared to PSG's 25 years and 96 days.

That was the largest age gap between two starting line-ups in any Champions League final, and while Inter are looking to invest in youth, Marotta feels 28-year-old Lookman will bring valuable experience.

"We all believe that in the game of football, you hardly win with 11 young talents. Alongside talent you need experience, you need very strong characters," he said.

"Lookman is not a player who can be resold, he’s not a player we have discovered, but he is a good player, who makes the young people around him grow."