Lookman on exit doors, so La Dea looks for a man to replace him
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Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 23.07.25. | 18:31
Federico Chiesa and Rasmus Hojlund seem like the best available options
Atalanta has become a regular in the UEFA Champions League, and as they aim to replicate - or even surpass - the success of their 2019/20 debut campaign, which saw them reach the quarter-finals, La Dea is once again refreshing its squad.
Longtime head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has left the club, with Ivan Juric stepping in as his replacement. Meanwhile, significant changes are underway within the playing squad. Last season's third-place finishers in Serie A have already spent around €80 million on new signings - but thanks to a series of lucrative sales, the budget remains healthy.
The most notable departure is that of Mateo Retegui, sold to Saudi side Al-Qadsiah for €68.25 million. Additionally, Matteo Ruggeri has joined Atletico Madrid for €17 million, and Roberto Piccoli has moved to Cagliari for €12 million. Atalanta is also awaiting offers for Ademola Lookman.
Inter Milan appears to be the front-runner for Lookman, especially after Napoli reportedly withdrew from the race. However, Atalanta is holding out for more money. Inter's initial offer was €40 million, but the Bergamo-based club is unwilling to negotiate unless that figure rises by another €10 million.
Confident that Inter will meet their demands, Atalanta's management has already begun searching for a replacement. According to Sportitalia - who label the news as 'exclusive' - the club has submitted a €12 million offer to Liverpool for Federico Chiesa. Meanwhile, Foot Mercato reports that Atalanta is also considering bringing Rasmus Hojlund back from Manchester United.
In Hojlund's case, the main obstacle is United's stance: the Danish striker is only available for a permanent transfer, not a loan. Hojlund impressed before his move to England and had a decent first season at Old Trafford, scoring 16 goals. However, he slipped down the pecking order last season, netting just 10 times. Overall, he has scored 26 goals and registered six assists in 95 appearances for the Red Devils. While that return is underwhelming for a player who cost nearly €80 million, United is keen to recover at least part of their investment - hence their refusal to sanction a loan deal.
As for Chiesa, the former Fiorentina and Juventus forward has struggled to find his form at Anfield. He made just 14 appearances last season, contributing two goals and two assists. His exclusion from Arne Slot's preseason tour of Asia signals that he may not be in the new manager's plans. Reportedly, Atalanta is prepared to match the €12 million Liverpool paid Juventus last year if the English club agrees to cover a significant portion of the 27-year-old's wages during a proposed three-year contract with the Italians.
