*As Omission From Atalanta Squad Fuels Exit Talks
Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman appears to be on the brink of completing a move to Atlético Madrid after he was conspicuously left out of Atalanta’s squad list for Sunday’s Serie A fixture, further intensifying speculation around his immediate future.
The Nigerian forward’s name was missing from Atalanta’s officially released matchday squad with strong indications that negotiations between Atalanta and Atlético Madrid have reached an agreement and set to reach personal terms with the Madrid club.
While Atalanta included key attacking options such as Gianluca Scamacca, Charles De Ketelaere, Teun Koopmeiners’ midfield partners, and Mario Pašalić in the squad, Lookman’s absence stood out sharply, given his status as one of the club’s most decisive attacking players over the past two seasons.
Sources close to the situation suggest the omission is not injury-related but rather a strategic decision by Atalanta, aimed at avoiding risk to a player whose transfer is nearing completion, a common practice when deals are at a sensitive stage.
Atlético Madrid, under Diego Simeone, are understood to have identified Lookman as a priority reinforcement for their attacking line, valuing his pace, versatility, and proven productivity in Serie A and European competitions.
Although neither club has made an official announcement, Lookman’s exclusion from Sunday’s matchday squad is widely seen as the clearest signal yet that the Super Eagles star is preparing to bid farewell to Bergamo, with a switch to the Spanish capital now appearing imminent.
