The Nigerian international, Lookman and his Dutch teammate, are reportedly keen on a move to Paris Saint-Germain – for the former – a development that has caught Atalanta’s management by surprise.

The club’s hierarchy was left stunned by the news, as they had hoped to retain both players beyond the current transfer window.

In an interview with Tutto Sport, Gasperini expressed his disappointment over the situation.

“I owe a lot to Koopmeiners and Lookman. They have been sincere with me. It is unfortunate that this situation arises just as the season is starting,” he said.

Gasperini also admitted that the timing of the players’ potential departures is a significant distraction for the team.

“The worst part is that these issues surface when the championship is already underway. No one likes to deal with distractions at this stage. If this had happened in July, it wouldn’t have caused such problems.”

Despite the off-field turmoil, Atalanta began their Serie A campaign on a strong note, securing a 4-0 victory over Lecce on Monday.