Atalanta new coach, Raffaele Palladino, has said Ademola Lookman as “a fundamental” player as he attempts to steer La Dea back to their proper place in the Italian Serie A.

The former Fiorentina coach said: “Lookman is fundamental.”

This declaration could mean that Atalanta will not let go the Super Eagles star without a big fight in January as several top clubs are now circling around him.

Palladino said the best formation for the team is 3-4-2-1, while adding that “Atalanta don’t deserve the position they are now on the table, we have to climb back up”.   

Meanwhile, Turkish giants, Galatasaray, have submitted a substantial offer for Ademola Lookman, who remains unsettled at Atalanta after the summer transfer saga that did not go his way.

According to Italian news medium, Calciomercato, Galatasaray have submitted a concrete and substantial offer for the Super Eagles forward.

The report stated that Galatasaray consider the former Leipzig player a top priority.

The offer is described as significant and could impact the upcoming winter transfer window. If Atalanta accepted the offer, the transfer could be one of the most notable of the window.

Ademola Lookman is highly valued and he is under contract until the summer of 2027, and is paid €2,310,000 per year in Italy.

Atalanta will sell Ademola Lookman for a suitable offer, with the condition that any transfer must be a permanent deal or a loan that includes a mandatory purchase option.

According to Giordano Signorelli, Tuttosport’sAtalanta correspondent, the price for the player is approximately €50-55 million including bonuses, a figure that has not changed from a few months ago.

Lookman wants to change clubs because he has not fully adapted in Bergamo, but Atalanta are setting the conditions for a transfer.

The subject of Lookman and Galatasaray was discussed at the end of August. Giordano Signorelli reported that at that time, the player gave his approval for the transfer if the two clubs could reach an agreement, but an agreement was not reached.