Napoli’s preparations for their Serie A title defence have been dealt a major blow after Romelu Lukaku suffered a thigh injury during a pre-season friendly against Olympiacos.
The Belgian striker, who played a crucial role in last season’s Scudetto triumph, was forced off with discomfort in his left leg, with scans later confirming a high-grade injury to the rectus femoris muscle.
The setback casts doubt over Lukaku’s availability for Napoli’s opening league fixture against Sassuolo on August 23, and early estimates suggest he could miss up to a month of action, including crucial Champions League games.
Lukaku’s absence is significant given his return to form last season, when he contributed 14 goals and 10 assists in 36 Serie A appearances.
Having finally settled after years of uncertainty and loan moves, his injury arrives just as Napoli sought stability heading into the new campaign.
Napoli Eye Reinforcements
Coach Antonio Conte now faces a challenge in maintaining attacking fluidity without his first-choice striker, Lorenzo Lucca, who replaced Lukaku against Olympiacos, is in line to feature early on, but Napoli are expected to explore the transfer market for reinforcements.
Reports in Italy suggest the champions are weighing up short-term options to lead the line or bolster depth, ensuring they remain competitive on both domestic and European fronts.
According to transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, Napoli had direct contact with Man United today to ask for loan deal conditions for Rasmus Højlund, following Lukaku’s injury which will keep him out for more than 3 months.
Other experienced strikers and versatile forwards are being considered, with the club determined not to lose momentum in their title defence.
Balancing Recovery and Ambition
Napoli’s medical team are expected to adopt a cautious approach with Lukaku to avoid aggravating the injury, prioritising his long-term fitness over rushing him back.
In the meantime, Conte may adjust tactics to rely more heavily on creative midfield play and flexible forward rotations.
The next few weeks could prove pivotal for the champions, testing the squad’s depth and resilience.
Fans will hope for a swift recovery for Lukaku, but the club’s proactive stance in the market underlines their determination to remain contenders for both Serie A and the Champions League.