Ausilio: ‘Inter want Lookman, Calhanoglu never asked to leave’
Inter director Piero Ausilio confirms they ‘would like to sign’ Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman, while Kristjan Asllani is on the way out, but Hakan Calhanoglu ‘never asked to leave’ for Galatasaray.
There was a gala dinner this evening with numerous clubs sending representatives, including the Nerazzurri with director of sport Ausilio.
He spoke to Sky Sport Italia, Sport Mediaset and others, and was naturally asked about the latest transfer gossip, starting with the €40m bid rejected by Atalanta for Lookman.
Inter confirm Lookman proposal
“We have a very good rapport of friendship and respect with Atalanta,” confessed Ausilio.
“I can confirm that we spoke and communicated what our expectations are to Atalanta. We really like Lookman and would like to sign him, but he is an Atalanta player, and we must try to find an agreement, we will not have infinite negotiations.
“Evidently, we have shown a preference for this player, we hope that the offer we made can be considered satisfactory.
“What matters is what Atalanta want to do. He is our preferred option, but if we are not able to get Lookman, then we will work towards other targets.”
There has been so much speculation and controversy over the situation surrounding Calhanoglu, with captain Lautaro Martinez raging against the idea of the midfielder pushing for a transfer to Galatasaray.
“There was never anything in it,” assured Ausilio.
“He never asked us to leave. It is part of the dynamics of the transfer market to read stories like that, but Inter have no intention of depriving themselves of a champion of that calibre.
“We even had a meeting with Galatasaray, but we immediately realised it was not going to happen. I have to be honest, Calhanoglu never asked to leave Inter, and that is worth reiterating.”
What about Galatasaray’s approach for Yann Sommer?
“There was talk about him, but never directly with us, so we didn’t discuss it at all. He is our goalkeeper and he is staying.
“Davide Frattesi is not for sale, the same goes for Marcus Thuram.”
The fact that Calhanoglu is staying suggests there will be less room for Asllani, and this is confirmed by the Inter director.
“We have told Asllani that after three years with us, it is only right that he goes to play more regularly elsewhere.”