Napoli: Lukaku injury may see him dropped, replacement sought | OneFootball

The injury to Romelu Lukaku is a significant blow for Napoli under Antonio Conte. Medical examinations have revealed a high-grade tear of the rectus femoris muscle in his left thigh, sustained during the match against Olympiacos, forcing the Belgian striker to an estimated stop of at least three months.

Napoli, Lukaku injury: possible exclusion from official lists and search for a replacement

Napoli, the statement on Lukaku: rectus femoris tear. Risk of a stop of over three months, now…

The forward has already begun the rehabilitation process and will undergo a surgical evaluation.

Technical implications and squad management

According to Sky Sport expert Gianluca Di Marzio, Lukaku's situation also affects the management of the available slots in Napoli's official list. The Neapolitan club has only one free "over" slot, which could be filled by the potential arrival of Gutierrez, the new striker who has already completed medical exams.

If the deal materializes, Lukaku risks being excluded from Napoli's official lists for the first part of the season due to the long unavailability and possible surgery.

The market becomes a priority

The Belgian's stop forces Napoli to return to the market to provide Conte with an alternative in attack. The goal is to find a player capable of partnering with Lorenzo Lucca and strengthening the squad for national and international competitions. The club's priority will thus be to find a replacement with the technical and physical characteristics suited to the system of play of the Azzurri coach.

Return timelines

According to estimates reported by Sky Sport, Lukaku might not return to the field before January 2026, giving Napoli ample room to maneuver in the summer and winter transfer windows. Careful management of the squad and the choice of a replacement will be crucial to keeping the team competitive in the first half of the season.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.