Former Super Eagles striker and 1997 African Footballer of The Year, Victor Nosa Ikpeba has advised the continent’s current best player, Ademola Lookman to resolve his ongoing feud with Atalanta FC of Italy through a peaceful and proper procedure.
Sports247 reports that Ikpeba’s advice comes in the midst of widespread information that Lookman has gone absent without leave (awol) from the Bergamo-based club, while trying to force a summer transfer to their Serie A rivals, Inter Milan.
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However, rather than back the 2023 African Footballer of The Year in his decision to skip pre-season training and end all official duties with the club, ‘The Prince of Monaco’ insists Lookman should do things properly.
Ikpeba pointed out, “It is like this sometimes in football transfers. But, the club is the owner of the player, and the club calls the shots.”
Ikpeba, who dazzled for AS Monaco of France and Borussia Dortmund of Germany at the height of his career, reasoned further that Lookman should be patient and calm, in order not to allow the healthy relationship that has developed between him and the club end on a sour note.
He added, “Atalanta and Lookman have been very successful, even up till last season. Individually, he won African player of the year because of his performances with them.
“Sometimes, marriage does end up badly, but it’s good to break up a relationship in a good way in order to create room for future interactions.”
Ikpeba, though, concluded by admitting he does not have details of issues that are now separating Lookman and Atalanta, which the crafty winger helped win the previous season’s UEFA Europa League title with a hat-trick in the final against Bayer Leverkusen of Germany.
“I don’t really know what is happening, but I think the manager and his family should advise him to be a little bit calm; then let this thing be done properly and patiently.
“He shouldn’t stop training, and I will advise him to keep being with the team in everything they do. He is still a legend of the club,” Ikpeba submitted metaphorically.
