₦airaland Forum

Chelsea legend Didier Drogba has waded into the transfer row between Atalanta and Ademola Lookman, submitting a 50-page petition to the Italian club demanding fairness in the Nigerian star’s proposed move to Inter Milan.

According to African Hub, the petition, endorsed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), calls for “a fair and transparent transfer process” after Atalanta reportedly rejected two bids from Inter, including a €45 million offer in late July.

The Italian club is holding out for €50 million to €55 million, despite Lookman already agreeing to personal terms with the Nerazzurri.

The 27-year-old Super Eagles forward has refused to return to pre-season training in Bergamo and is currently believed to be in Portugal, having spent several days in London. Lookman is said to be furious at Atalanta for blocking the move, insisting Inter’s offer was fair value.

Drogba, Africa’s all-time great, delivered the petition in Italy, with African Hub posting on X:

“Didier Drogba has landed in Italy to submit a 50-page petition to Atalanta, approved by CAF, advocating for a fair and transparent transfer process for Africa’s top talent, Ademola Lookman, Africa’s Best Player of the Year.”

The post praised Drogba’s intervention as a matter that goes beyond football, stressing the importance of “accountability and justice in global football transfers, especially when it concerns African stars.”

The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has also backed Lookman, posting on the Super Eagles’ official page that they “stand by Ademola Lookman” in his push to join Inter.

With the transfer window approaching its deadline, Lookman’s agents are set to return to Italy to try to break the deadlock, while Inter remain confident of landing their top attacking target.

Sources: https://businessday.ng/sports/article/drogba-files-petition-against-atalanta-over-ademola-lookmans-transfer-saga/#google_vignette

Never easy for a player to force a transfer, when his contract has not ended.
Especially to a rival club.

I applaud Drogba for his solidarity but I think settling the matter should involve Dialogue & Negotiations rather than Petitions.

I won't advice any African player to play in Italy anymore, these Italian clubs are becoming annoying.

Bahamas95:
I won't advice any African player to play in Italy anymore, these Italian clubs are becoming annoying.

Easier said than done.
You can as well advise Nigerian and African players to stay back home and help develop their local leagues.

Moreover there are Nigerians having decent careers in Italy.

Why always African players...?

It's nice for drogba to try to assist but what's his role in the saga?

Well done, Omo mi AdeRogba.

👏

While Okocha and kanu nwankwo is sitting one side paying deaf ears.

Omologo. Chelsea legend.
African finest.
Way to go bro.
Be your brother keeper

Didier Drogba is an African giant and legend. God bless Drogba
God bless CAF
To hell with Atalanta and Napoli

Is he his new agent or what?

More characters needed from Drogba to complete the transfer!

Bahamas95:
I won't advice any African player to play in Italy anymore, these Italian clubs are becoming annoying.

I think you are right bro. Italia now a no go place for Africa players. Quiet unfair.

Hoping for a positive outcome for Lookman.

PSG did same for Mbappe till his contract expires.

I think d issue is they don't want to sell to an Italian club.... I didn't know Italians were clubs were dis wicked

And wetin Finidi George and Samson Siasia dey wait for before dem talk? Dem no be SouthSouth former players?

southsouthking:
While Okocha and kanu nwankwo is sitting one side paying deaf ears.

And wetin Finidi George and Samson Siasia dey wait for before dem talk? Dem no be SouthSouth former players? Evrry time una go dey look for unnecessary wahala.

southsouthking:
While Okocha and kanu nwankwo is sitting one side paying deaf ears.

Our very selfish and individualistic football legends no go put mouth inside this matter, their own na percentage and agent fee

Drogba stepping up for a brother while Kanu and Okocha dey de cash out bet money. A true legend no be mouth

I don't know but isn't it the right is Atlanta to make him play for them till his contract expires?

Arrant nonsense, you're under contract, you play and can't force the club to accept offers not meeting their evaluation. This is how big clubs bully little ones, they unsettle the player and then whine the smaller club to either accept lowball offers or risk the wrath of the player!

Great100000:
Sources: https://businessday.ng/sports/article/drogba-files-petition-against-atalanta-over-ademola-lookmans-transfer-saga/#google_vignette

This is business pls
He is still under contract with Atalanta.
If Inter Milan really want him, they should meet Atalanta asking price.
Atalanta is a big club with big Ambition and they wont be happy selling one of their best player to their rivals.
Lets remove sentiments and emotions out of this and dont make it look like it is africa thing.
Newcastle and Isak is fighting the same thing

Thank you for wadding in. This people always forget the good u have done to them

Thank you for wadding in. This people always forget the good u have done to them.
They used and dump

GanagiBitrus:
Never easy for a player to force a transfer, when his contract has not ended.
Especially to a rival club.

I applaud Drogba for his solidarity but I think settling the matter should involve Dialogue & Negotiations rather than Petitions.

They had an agreement before he extended and they breached it. So he has the right to force exit since they have defaulted on their part.

atobs4real:
Thank you for wadding in. This people always forget the good u have done to them

Was he doing it from free?
He is been paid weekly to do his work.

This is great from our legend, Didier Drogba, the killer of Arsenal and Arsene Wenger.

You see why people don't really rate Okocha and Maybe, Kanu Nwankwo despite all the football Okocha played?

Nigerians(some) are very terrible people and can never help a fellow brother in times of distress. This is why we are suffering. Okocha would rather promote betking than standing up for a brother. Some Nigerians are just too self-centered and callous.

At this point, I feel there should be a strong union/Association of African footballers in Diaspora which would be led by a President and such president would be an Ex international who is strong figure. Such person should be Able to checkmate some of these harsh treatment being meted to our players in Europe

That is great outstanding move by Drogba in going that far by submitting a 50-page petition to ensure fair treatment for Ademola lookman Unlike his Nigerian brothers who were also former African footballers of the year that all they know is been critical. Thumbs up

abbey621:
Arrant nonsense, you're under contract, you play and can't force the club to accept offers not meeting their evaluation. his is how big clubs bully little ones, they unsettle the player and then whine the smaller club to either accept lowball offers or risk the wrath of the player!

I humbly disagree. Part of the obnoxious reasons Atalanta has been recalcitrant is that they do not want to sell him to a fellow Italian club. Some of this rubbish clauses clubs include in players contracts are ILLEGAL. It is about time some of these silly contracts are challenged in court including the court of arbitration for sports. It is not chickens and goats they are selling, players are first of all human beings and have rights.

If a player feels he is not being treated fairly, then he has a right to disagree. No club has the right to force a player to a club or country he does not wish to go to. Even if such clauses are included in his contracts, once they go against a person's fundermental human rights, those nonsense clauses are ILLEGAL. SIMPLE. Atalanta MUST release him wether they like it or not. What Inter Milan has offered is fair enough, all things considered.

OredoPikin2:
This is business pls
He is still under contract with Atalanta.
If Inter Milan really want him, they should meet Atalanta asking price.
Atalanta is a big club with big Ambition and they wont be happy selling one of their best player to their rivals.
Lets remove sentiments and emotions out of this and dont make it look like it is africa thing.
Newcastle and Isak is fighting the same thing

I humbly disagree. Part of the obnoxious reasons Atalanta has been recalcitrant is that they do not want to sell him to a fellow Italian club. Some of this rubbish clauses clubs include in players contracts are ILLEGAL. It is about time some of these silly contracts are challenged in court including the court of arbitration for sports. It is not chickens and goats they are selling, players are first of all human beings and have rights.

If a player feels he is not being treated fairly, then he has a right to disagree. No club has the right to force a player to a club or country he does not wish to go to. Even if such clauses are included in his contracts, once they go against a person's fundermental human rights, those nonsense clauses are ILLEGAL. SIMPLE. Atalanta MUST release him wether they like it or not. What Inter Milan has offered is fair enough, all things considered.

When we remember that it’s one big family as black Africans, we will unite and support one another and ignore the countries and aritifical borders created by Berlin conference to divide and conquer Africa

southsouthking:
While Okocha and kanu nwankwo is sitting one side paying deaf ears.

Drogba inspired Osihmen to greatness too. He said alot about his support while playing the Under 17 world cup.