For weeks, it appeared almost certain that Ademola Lookman was on his way to Istanbul. The Nigerian forward, unhappy with his situation at Atalanta, was open to a January exit, and Galatasaray quickly emerged as the most aggressive suitor.
The proposed move held extra appeal because of the presence of Victor Osimhen — Lookman’s close friend and international teammate — who recently completed a headline-grabbing transfer to the Turkish giants. Reports from Turkey indicated that Lookman was warming to the idea, while Fenerbahçe, Atlético Madrid, and Tottenham quietly observed the situation.
Momentum grew further when Esenler Erokspor striker Olarenwaju Kayode publicly urged Lookman to choose Galatasaray, insisting the winger and Osimhen could form one of Europe’s most dangerous attacking duos.
Galatasaray backed their interest with a lucrative €9 million-per-year contract offer and even used informal channels through Osimhen to persuade him. At one point, Lookman was believed to be leaning heavily toward accepting.
But the direction of the story has now changed dramatically.
Palladino’s Arrival Alters Lookman’s Thinking
Atalanta’s decision to sack Ivan Jurić during the international break and appoint Raffaele Palladino has transformed Lookman’s outlook. The new manager has built rapport with the Nigerian almost immediately, reassuring him of his importance and offering a clearer pathway to consistent playing time.
Italian journalist Alessandro Giovanni Pagliarini captured the shift, reporting on X:
“As things stand, a short-term departure for Lookman is far from certain. Palladino likes him a lot, and despite the interest from Turkey — particularly from Galatasaray — the player is now focused on Atalanta.”
The signs are visible. Lookman, who removed Atalanta-related photos from his social media accounts earlier in the summer, has now restored them — a symbolic indication that tensions between him and the club have eased. Atalanta also posted a clip of his goal against Napoli, subtly emphasising his value.
Palladino’s tactical approach is expected to benefit Lookman. His aggressive, transition-heavy style suits the forward’s pace, explosiveness, and directness, meaning more minutes and a more prominent role.
What Next?
Although Galatasaray still admire Lookman and could return with another push in January, the momentum has clearly shifted. The Super Eagles attacker is now expected to stay in Bergamo until at least the end of the season, barring a dramatic change or a renewed, irresistible offer from Turkey.
