“It’s an insult” – Fenerbache chief slams Atalanta for failed Ademola Lookman move

Fenerbahçe football club of Turkey, vice president, Murat Salar has spoken openly about their frustration after failing to sign Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman during the January transfer window, Afrik-Foot reports.

The top club chief blames Italian side Atalanta for the breakdown of talks over the transfer of the Nigeria international.

The Turkish giants Fenerbahçe believed they were in a strong position after agreeing a financial package worth up to €40m, including bonuses. Reports in both Turkey and Italy suggested the club were leading the race, even as interest grew from Spain.

Fenerbahçe were also ready to offer Lookman a high-paying contract of more than €9m per season; a clear sign of how much they wanted the 28-year-old. But as discussions continued over how the transfer fee would be paid, another club quietly moved faster.

Spanish side Atlético Madrid stepped in, agreed a deal worth around €35m plus bonuses, and completed the move while Fenerbahçe were still negotiating terms.

Fenerbahçe vice-president Murat Salar has revealed that Atalanta demanded a bank guarantee before approving the transfer, a request the Turkish club felt was unnecessary and disrespectful.

“We took this as an insult to ourselves,” Salar told the club’s official television channel as per Turkiye Today.

“We said, ‘Which bank’s reputation is higher than the 120-year-old Fenerbahce club?’”

While the deal collapsed in Turkey, Lookman wasted no time showing his quality in Spain.

On his Atlético debut, the Super Eagles star scored once and set up another in a 5-0 win over Real Betis. That victory booked a Copa del Rey semi-final clash with Barcelona.

In the first leg, Lookman again stole the spotlight, delivering a goal and an assist in a stunning 4-0 win for Atlético. It means he already has two goals and two assists in just three games for his new club.

A positive result in the return match on March 3 would send Atlético into the final, as manager Diego Simeone looks to lift the trophy again after winning it in 2024.