Napoli – A sigh of relief for Napoli fans: Romelu Lukaku will not require surgery. After a medical consultation in Belgium, the Napoli striker has decided to undergo conservative treatment for the serious muscle injury to his left thigh sustained in the friendly against Olympiacos.
A choice that avoids the scalpel, but which will effectively keep him away from the pitch for the first few months of the season.
The verdict weighs heavily: no Champions League for the Belgian, who will not be included in the UEFA squad. This is an unexpected blow for Napoli, who had anticipated the transfer window but are now forced to accelerate to give Conte a ready-to-play striker.
Because the coach knows it well: Lucca is a growing talent, but he can't handle the impact of big matches alone – starting with his debut on September 13th in Florence and the first direct clash on the 28th at San Siro against AC Milan.
Hojlund remains at the top of Napoli's wish list to replace Big Rom
And so the transfer market men are making their move. At the top of the list remains Rasmus Hojlund: 22 years old, the power and pace already seen in Bergamo with Atalanta, but who hasn't lived up to expectations in Manchester.
Napoli is pushing for a €5 million loan with an option to buy in June. It's a shame that AC Milan have also swooped in, ready to acquire him immediately. A two-horse race that risks setting the Italian transfer market ablaze.
It's not just Hojlund: sporting director Manna has re-established contact with Chelsea for Nicholas Jackson, 24, a Senegalese talent compared to Neymar in England. The Azzurri were already pursuing him, but the Blues are currently asking for €40 million in cash and are not open to a loan. Also in the background is Tolu Arokodare, the 25-year-old Nigerian from Genk, valued around €25 million, but with the African Cup of Nations in January looming, which could leave Conte unprotected in the middle of the season.
Meanwhile, Lukaku has returned to Castel Volturno to begin treatment. No firm date has been set for his return: the hope is to see him back on the pitch in 2026, but much will depend on his physical response to the treatment. For now, however, fans' minds are already on the transfer market. The goal is clear: to provide Conte with the striker he needs to continue his dream in Serie A and the Champions League.
Lukaku won't undergo surgery but will be out of action for months. This news is worrying. Napoli must find a replacement quickly. Hojlund seems interesting, but Chelsea are also demanding a lot. Let's hope the situation resolves itself soon.