Super Eagles’ winger, Ademola Lookman is receiving far-reaching support from Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in his ongoing transfer saga at Atalanta of Italy, according to the soccer governing body’s director of communications, Dr Ademola Olajire.
Sports247 gathered that the former Charlton Athletic, Everton, Fulham and Leicester City of England dazzler, who also previously played for RB Leipzig of Germany, is back at Atalanta after failing to force through a summer transfer to their fellow-Serie A rivals, Inter Milan.
However, the damage appears done already, as Inter Milan have reportedly withdrawn their interest in the reigning African Footballer of The Year, who spent time absent without permission in Portugal and England to protest against Atalanta’s refusal to let him go in the summer transfer window.
With less than a week now left before the summer transfer window slams shut, speculation is rising that Lookman will have to reluctantly stay put in Bergamo, where Atalanta are based, which might turn out to be detrimental to his career progression.
While the saga races to a climax that might not favour the former England youth international and 2017 FIFA U20 World Cup winner, some critics have slammed the NFF for neglecting him during his time of need.
However, Olajire has spoken out stoutly in defence of the NFF, while also revealing that the football governing body’s head of international department is on top of the situation.
“There’s no way that the football federation will abandon any of the players facing a challenge,” Olajire assured.
He went on to provide details of how NFF president, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gusau has always put the issue of players’ welfare as a priority and recently visited many of them when they were injured, with similar attention now being given Lookman’s matter.
Olajire disclosed, “The NFF president even travelled outside the country to see a couple of injured players and psyche them up before the Africa Cup of Nations.
“The same thing has been done this time, as the president has been in touch with Lookman. Of course, we also know that the head of international is somebody who is always in touch with our players almost on a daily basis.”
 in his ongoing transfer){kind=link}