Former Italian footballer Ciro Ferrara has stirred fresh debate after claiming that Nigeria international Ademola Lookman would have struggled for game time had he completed his much-publicised summer move to Inter Milan, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Lookman’s potential switch to Inter dominated headlines throughout the summer transfer window, with the forward reportedly informing Atalanta of his desire to leave.
The saga dragged on for weeks, reaching a boiling point when Lookman publicly demanded a transfer and boycotted training for more than a week in an attempt to force the move.
Despite Inter agreeing personal terms with the Nigerian — including a proposed five-year deal — Atalanta CEO Antonio Percassi refused to approve the transfer, maintaining that while Lookman had been promised an exit in 2025, the club would not sell him to a Serie A rival.
The decision enraged the Super Eagles star, who accused the club of going back on their word.
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In protest, he embarked on a two-week strike, skipped training sessions without medical justification, and wiped all Atalanta-related content from his social media accounts.
Undeterred, Atalanta rejected Inter’s final €45m offer, prompting the Nerazzurri to abandon negotiations and redirect their attention elsewhere.
Now, with the dust settled, Ferrara has reignited the conversation, suggesting that even if the move had materialised, Lookman might have struggled to fit into Cristian Chivu’s tactical system — and would likely have spent most of his time on the bench.
“Lookman would have been on the bench at Inter.
To insert it, you would have had to change a lot, starting with the formation,” the 58-year-old was quoted by lnerazzurro.“I don’t know if there were the right characteristics.
Even if he is an important player, you should have changed a consolidated set-up and tactical knowledge already rooted in the starters.”
Lookman has featured three times for Atalanta so far this season but has yet to register a goal or an assist.
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The Nigerian forward earned his first Serie A start of the campaign against Como on Saturday but endured a difficult outing, eventually being substituted in the 73rd minute.
