Atalanta head coach Raffaele Palladino has thrown his full weight behind Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman, expressing confidence in the 28-year-old despite a sluggish start to the season and swirling transfer rumors.

Lookman has found the net just once in ten appearances across all competitions this season, a statistic that has sparked questions about his form. The forward also spent a busy summer navigating the transfer market, with reported interest from European heavyweights such as Inter Milan, Bayern Munich, and Atlético Madrid.

Ultimately, no move materialized, leaving Lookman to focus on proving himself at Atalanta.

The season has also seen moments of tension. Under former manager Ivan Juric, Lookman reportedly clashed with the coach during a 1-0 UEFA Champions League win over Marseille after being substituted late in the match.

Juric’s eventual dismissal following a string of disappointing results paved the way for Palladino to take charge.

Since assuming the role, Palladino has made rebuilding his relationship with Lookman a priority. “I have a huge belief in Ademola,” Palladino said in an interview with Tuttoatalanta. “He’s a strong player who can make the difference.”

The coach revealed that he personally reached out to Lookman while the striker was on international duty, emphasizing the importance of understanding each player individually.

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“He presented himself well upon his return,” Palladino added. “I’ll evaluate his deployment based on training performances and what I see on the pitch. But he’s a player I’m banking on.”

With Palladino’s backing and renewed focus, Lookman now has the opportunity to rediscover his best form and prove that he can still be a decisive figure for Atalanta this season.