Naples: Samuel Essende to replace injured Romelu Lukaku? | OneFootball

The towering Congolese striker is on Napoli’s radar as the summer transfer window draws to a close.

Naples: Samuel Essende to replace injured Romelu Lukaku?

Romelu Lukaku’s injury, sustained even before the season kicked off, has forced Napoli’s management to explore alternative options. Among the names in the mix is Samuel Essende, the Congolese international forward. His profile has caught the eye of Italian coach Antonio Conte, who is seeking cover for the Belgian’s lengthy absence.

After suffering a right femoral muscle injury in his left thigh during Napoli’s friendly against Olympiakos on August 14, Lukaku is set to undergo surgery and, according to Italian media, will be sidelined for at least three months. It’s a major blow for the reigning Italian champions, who temporarily lose one of last season’s key contributors (14 goals, 10 assists in Serie A). As a result, the club is back on the transfer market in search of a replacement—hence the emergence of Samuel Essende’s name.

Indeed, the Congolese international is coming off an impressive season with German side Augsburg, netting 10 goals across all competitions. On top of that, Samuel Essende found the back of the net again in the German Cup on August 17. A Paris Saint-Germain academy product with spells at Pau, Caen, and Bastia, the DR Congo ‘Leopard’ has steadily climbed the ranks before landing at Augsburg in 2024. Powerful, mobile, strong in duels, and adept at playing both as a target man and running in behind, he offers a profile similar to Lukaku’s, though with less top-level experience.

With the transfer window closing fast, Napoli may be inclined to prioritize form over reputation, and Samuel Essende ticks several boxes: current form, physical attributes, reasonable price tag, and room for growth. Whether negotiations will progress swiftly remains to be seen. What’s certain is that Lukaku’s injury leaves Napoli with no time to waste.