Striker Lorenzo Lucca, signed by Napoli from Udinese for around 35 million euros last summer, can look for space at another club from January onwards. The decision comes with the imminent return of Romelu Lukaku, which will reduce the opportunities for the 25-year-old Italian in the offensive sector. The Azzurri club is evaluating options for the player, who arrived on loan with a redemption obligation of 26 million euros.
Lukaku, injured since August, should return to full training in December, changing rotations from Antonio Conte. Lucca, who played just 12 games this season with two goals scored, faces stiff competition from Rasmus Hojlund and the Belgian himself. The departure aims to guarantee regular minutes for the young man, essential for his development.
Napoli, current leader of Serie A with 32 points in 14 rounds, prioritizes balance in the squad after early elimination in Champions League. Sem more European games, the calendar focuses on league and Coppa Italia, which limits substitutions. Diretor sports Giovanni Manna internally discusses the best solutions for Lucca.
- Main reasons for possible departure: reduction in competitions, return of Lukaku and need for minutes.
- Initial investment: 9 million for the loan plus 26 million for the redemption.
- Lucca performance: 12 games, 2 goals and 1 assist until November.
Initial performance of Lucca on Napoli
Lucca arrived at Napoli with high expectations as Lukaku’s immediate backup. The 1.90m forward stood out in the Udinese with 11 goals in the last Serie A. Em Nápoles, however, slowly adapted to the Conte style, focused on quick transitions and high pressing.
In the first rounds, Lucca started against Sassuolo and Cagliari, but missed clear chances. Conte opted for Hojlund after an investment of 50 million euros by Manchester United. The Italian played 320 minutes, averaging 0.45 xG per game.
Lukaku’s injury created temporary space, but the return of the Belgian, scorer of 14 goals in the previous season, closes options. Lucca trains with a focus on aerial duels, his strength, but he needs sequence to evolve.
FIGC rules complicate lending
Federação Italiana of Futebol (FIGC) rules restrict sub-loans to players in assignment with redemption obligation. Lucca, currently on loan from Udinese, cannot be transferred directly to a third club without activating the redemption of 26 million euros.
This standard aims to protect investments and avoid contractual manipulations. Napoli must decide by December whether to exercise the advance payment, transforming Lucca into a definitive player and then negotiating him. Caso Otherwise, an interruption of the current loan returns the athlete to Udinese, limiting options in January.
Manna evaluates alternative scenarios, such as definitive sale or remaining as a fourth option. Clubes as Nottingham Forest and Juventus monitor the situation, interested in the potential of the former Pisa.
Destination options for Lucca in January
English clubs lead the list of interested parties in Lucca. Nottingham Forest, which probed in March, is seeking physical reinforcement for Premier League. The team is fighting against relegation and sees the Italian as an alternative to aerial duels, with a 65% success rate in this category.
In Serie A, Roma and Fiorentina appear as possibilities. Roma, dissatisfied with Artem Dovbyk, considers a loan with a purchase option. Conte, former coach of Roma, indirectly influences by recommending regular minutes for Lucca.
Other clues include Milan and Atalanta, but they rely on internal outputs. Lucca’s agent prioritizes competitive leagues to value the player, contracted for five years until 2030 with a salary of 2 million euros per year.
The January market opens on January 1st, with intense trading until the 31st. Napoli aims to recover part of the investment without loss.
Rotations in the Napoli attack post-Lukaku
The return of Lukaku resets the offensive sector of Napoli. The Belgian, with 14 goals and 6 assists last season, assumes immediate prominence. Hojlund, top scorer with 4 recent goals, forms a starting pair in 3-5-2 or 4-3-3 formations.
Lucca, initially seen as Lukaku’s guardian, now competes with Ambrosino for the reservation. Conte plans to rotate Coppa Italia, but prioritizes efficiency. Sem Europeans, the focus is on maintaining leadership in Serie A.
Statistics show the impact: Napoli scores 2.1 goals per game without Lukaku, but defense concedes 0.8. With the Belgian, total balance is expected.
- Formations tested: 3-5-2 with Lukaku and Hojlund; 4-3-3 with Lucca as pivot.
- Projected minutes for Lucca: less than 500 in the second half of the season.
- Objectives: 80 points in the league and title in the Coppa.
Director’s Market Strategies
Giovanni Manna, sporting director of Napoli, outlines a plan for January centered on specific departures. Além of Lucca, evaluates Mazzocchi and other reserves to free up salary space. The club manages a turnover of 120 million euros annually.
Investments target midfield, with names like Kobbie Mainoo from Manchester United. Para attack, Lucca’s departure releases 2 million in salaries. Manna negotiates with Udinese to make the redemption more flexible, possibly in installments.
Napoli, champion in 2024/25, seeks to repeat this feat with a lean squad. De Laurentiis approves movements that preserve a market value of 650 million euros.
History of hiring and adaptations
Lucca follows the pattern of betting on young Italians in the Napoli. Contratado in July after medical visits in Roma, signed for five years. Sua trajectory includes Pisa and Ajax, with 28 goals in 78 games in Serie B.
Adaptation in Nápoles involved cultural and tactical challenges. Conte praised his ethics, but demands consistency. Comparado to Lukaku by physical size, differs in mobility.
Future depends on January: stay strengthens squad; output accelerates individual growth.
