Galatasaray manager, Okan Buruk, has revealed that the club tried to get Ademola Lookman but Atalanta refused, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
The Turkish club in the just-concluded summer transfer window pushed for the services of Lookman, but his club is on a permanent transfer.
"We were interested in Lookman. We got excited wondering, 'Is something like the Osimhen case happening?' but Atalanta definitely said they won’t send him on loan," Buruk said, as quoted by Turkish football pundit Ya??z Sabuncuo?lu as par Dailypost.
Lookman had expressed his desire to leave Atalanta, submitting a transfer request and even training separately from the squad.
Despite attracting interest from top clubs like Inter Milan and Bayern Munich, Atalanta rejected several offers, including a reported €45-50 million bid, insisting on a permanent sale.
Atalanta have since included Lookman in their Champions League squad, indicating that he will remain with the club for the season.
Galatasaray, meanwhile, is reportedly still interested in signing Lookman, with a potential deal worth €55 million.
The Turkish Super Lig transfer window remains open until September 12, leaving the door open for a late bid.
By Olujimi Dare Ogun