Napoli have confirmed that Romelu Lukaku has suffered a high-grade tear of the left rectus femoris during the friendly against Olympiacos. The Belgian striker has already started rehabilitation and will undergo a surgical consultation to determine whether an operation is required. Initial estimates suggest that he will be out for at least three months, but the absence could extend to five months if surgery proves necessary, which would delay his return until late 2025. This means Lukaku is certain to miss the opening part of Napoli’s Serie A and Champions League campaigns.
The setback also raises issues around squad registration. Napoli are considering omitting Lukaku from the official Serie A and Champions League lists for the first half of the season to free up a slot for a replacement. He could then be reinstated in January once fit. Another possibility would be signing a younger forward born in 2003 or later, who would not occupy an over-22 place.
In the meantime, the club’s transfer strategy has become urgent following the recent departures of Giacomo Raspadori to Atlético Madrid and Giovanni Simeone to Torino. Director Giovanni Manna and coach Antonio Conte are evaluating several options to bolster the forward line. Among them are Rasmus Højlund of Manchester United, who is well known in Serie A from his time with Atalanta, and Joshua Zirkzee, another Manchester United striker who previously impressed in Italy with Bologna. From the Premier League, Nicolas Jackson is being monitored as he struggles to establish himself at Chelsea, while closer to home Nikola Krstović of Lecce has also been identified as a potential target. Napoli are believed to prefer a loan deal rather than a major financial outlay at this stage.
For Conte, Lukaku’s injury is a major disruption to his early-season plans. Without the Belgian’s physical presence and power in the penalty area, Napoli will rely heavily on Lorenzo Lucca as the only recognised centre forward. Conte is expected to adjust his system by using wide players more creatively and focusing on set pieces while awaiting reinforcements. The medical decision on Lukaku’s treatment and the club’s subsequent registration strategy will dictate how Napoli approach the market in the coming days, as they scramble to find a solution to a problem that could shape their entire season.
