Lookman and Atalanta could resort to strong legal action over Inter row

BERGAMO, ITALY - APRIL 06: Ademola Lookman of Atalanta warms up prior to the Serie A match between Atalanta and SS Lazio at Gewiss Stadium on April 06, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

With Ademola Lookman refusing to attend training, there is legal action Atalanta and the player could take, including early termination, as he tries to force through a move to Inter.

The striker already failed to turn up for yesterday’s session at the Zingonia ground and today it was reported he had removed all his personal belongings from the camp.

His contract runs to June 2027, with an option to extend to 2028, so while so far Atalanta have decided not to take disciplinary action, the situation cannot drag on for long.

According to Calcio e Finanza, the club can dock Lookman’s wages if he fails to attend three consecutive appointments with at least 48 hours between them.

His salary with Atalanta is believed to be worth €1.8m per season net.

Lookman could use Diarra ruling to sue Atalanta

However, agent Andrea D’Amico has a different view of the situation, warning that recent developments mean the player could technically sue to have his contract terminated.

“Don’t forget that after the Diarra case, he could also decide to rescind the contract, which would give Atalanta compensation,” D’Amico told Radio Kiss Kiss.

“The abolition of Article 17 on the free circulation of European citizens, because Lookman is a non-EU player, would be exploiting jurisprudential equivalences that equate EU workers with others.”

The case in question was brought by Lassana Diarra and Dutch group Justice for Players, who took a class action suit against FIFA and football federations in Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Denmark and Germany.

Diarra won in 2024, when the European Court of Justice ruled that FIFA regulations over some transfers broke EU laws.

It was compared to the infamous 1995 case taken by Jean-Marc Bosman, which allowed players to move as free agents once their contracts expired.

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