CASTEL DI SANGRO, ITALY – AUGUST 14: Romelu Lukaku of Napoli leaves the pitch after suffering an injury during the pre-season friendly match between Napoli and Olympiacos at Stadio Teofilo Patini on August 14, 2025 in Castel di Sangro, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images)
Napoli expect Romelu Lukaku to remain out of action for several weeks due to a thigh injury, forcing director Giovanni Manna to look for a new striker.
Napoli will release an injury update on Lukaku today, Monday, August 18, but according to Corriere dello Sport and other prominent Italian media, the defending Serie A champions are already aware that the Belgian forward will remain out of action for several weeks.
Lukaku suffered an injury during a 2-0 win over Olympiacos on August 14, and his condition is so concerning that Napoli director Manna has already targeted some attacking reinforcements.
Napoli’s options to replace Lukaku
According to Corriere dello Sport, the leading candidates for the role are Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee, Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta, Roma’s Artem Dovbyk and Lecce’s Nikola Krstovic.
Napoli already signed Lorenzo Lucca from Udinese earlier this summer, but the Italy international remains the only other option in the centre-forward position following the sales of Giovanni Simeone and Giacomo Raspadori.
Napoli are on the verge of completing their seventh summer signing as Spanish left-back Miguel Gutierrez began medical tests on Monday morning.
Image:Getty
Segui le Ultime News Calciomercato Napoli
Segui le Ultime Notizie Napoli Calcio
