After nomination for African POTY, Atalanta co-owner holds talks with Lookman who has yet to renew contract

A day after Ademola Lookman was nominated for the prestigious African Footballer of the Year, Atalanta co-owner Stephen Pagliuca paid an unexpected visit to the forward at the team's training ground in Zingonia.

According to Tuttomercatoweb, the meeting comes at a crucial time, as Lookman has been facing increased scrutiny since his return from international duty with the Super Eagles. 

Pagliuca's surprise visit on Friday, October 25 was aimed to boost the player's morale and reaffirm the club's support.

The 27-year-old had previously expressed his desire to explore other opportunities, particularly after Paris Saint Germain were linked with him in August, which led to him missing the first three league games of the season.

Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini had questioned Lookman's commitment to his team's defensive cause after substituting him at halftime against Venezia last weekend.

By the end of this season, Lookman will have two years remaining on his contract, and Atalanta are aware that they'll need to find a successor if the Nigeria international doesn't renew his deal.

During their meeting, Pagliuca emphasized the club's appreciation for Lookman's value to the team and urged him to focus on delivering his best performances.

With the 2024 CAF Awards on the horizon, Lookman is among the top contenders, making his contributions to Atalanta crucial in the coming months. 

The Ballon d'Or nominee has registered 35 goals and 21 assists in 87 matches since landing in Bergamo in the summer of 2022.

Ejim Kaycee

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