Report: Napoli weighing up transfer move for Man Utd forward | OneFootball

Napoli’s Search for Goals: Lucca and Højlund Among Summer Transfer Targets

Napoli’s need for attacking reinforcements has become a major priority as they prepare for next season’s Champions League campaign. With Victor Osimhen expected to depart in the summer and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia already having moved on, the club is focused on identifying a striker capable of leading the line in both domestic and European competition.

Photo IMAGO

According to Calciomercato, Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna has been working for months to ensure the squad is prepared for the increased demands of competing on multiple fronts. The expectation is that at least seven new signings will arrive in the summer, with the primary focus being the attacking department.

Two names have emerged as key targets—Udinese’s Lorenzo Lucca and Manchester United’s Rasmus Højlund. Both are seen as exciting, young options with the potential to grow into the role, but their price tags and circumstances differ significantly.

Lucca and Højlund on Napoli’s Radar

Manna has outlined a clear profile for Napoli’s next striker: young, hungry, and with a natural instinct for scoring goals. That criteria has led the club to explore two vastly different opportunities.

Lorenzo Lucca has enjoyed a strong season at Udinese and is expected to move to a bigger club in the summer. After spending time at Ajax, where he largely watched from the sidelines in the Champions League, he is keen to take the next step in his career and establish himself as a regular in the Italian national team.

Photo IMAGO

On the other hand, Rasmus Højlund’s situation is more complicated. Signed by Manchester United from Atalanta for €75 million plus €10 million in bonuses in 2023, the Danish striker has struggled for consistency at Old Trafford. Despite flashes of brilliance, he has scored just three Premier League goals this season, though he has been more effective in the Europa League, where he has found the net five times in ten appearances.

Manchester United are open to selling Højlund, largely due to their financial situation. However, their valuation remains a significant hurdle. In order to avoid making a financial loss on the player, United are demanding a minimum of €60 million—a price that is considered unrealistic for a Serie A club.

Photo: IMAGO

Exploratory Talks Underway

At this stage, discussions around Højlund are described as exploratory. Napoli are interested, but they will need to see whether United are willing to negotiate a lower fee. With the Premier League club in financial difficulty and looking to rebalance their squad, there is a belief that they may soften their stance closer to the summer window.

For Napoli, signing Højlund would represent an ambitious move, but the financial challenge could push them towards a more cost-effective option. That is where Lucca comes in.

Lucca Remains the Primary Target

Despite their interest in Højlund, Napoli’s priority remains Lorenzo Lucca. The club had considered signing him last summer as a backup option for Romelu Lukaku, and their admiration has only grown in recent months.

According to Calciomercato, there have already been discussions between Napoli and Udinese, and negotiations could accelerate in the coming weeks. Udinese value the striker at between €35 million and €40 million, while Napoli believe that securing a ‘Champions League-level’ forward will require an investment of at least €30 million.

Photo IMAGO

Lucca fits perfectly into Napoli’s vision. He is young, highly regarded in Italian football, and has a salary that aligns with the club’s wage structure. Currently earning €250,000 per season at Udinese, a move to Napoli would see his wages quadruple—something that could make the move even more appealing to the player.

Manager Antonio Conte is also said to be a strong admirer of Lucca’s qualities. The 23-year-old forward’s profile as a physically dominant striker with strong technical ability makes him a good fit for Napoli’s tactical setup.

The expectation is that Napoli will continue their pursuit of Lucca in the coming weeks, with a deal potentially being concluded before the summer transfer window officially opens.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

The suggestion that Rasmus Højlund could be offloaded after just one season is met with scepticism. While his performances in the Premier League have been inconsistent, writing off a 21-year-old striker after just one campaign seems premature.

United’s financial struggles are well-documented, and there is no doubt that the club will need to offload players this summer to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations. However, selling a player who was brought in as a long-term project—especially for a fee significantly lower than what was paid—would signal a lack of strategic vision.

Højlund’s raw talent is evident. His performances in Europe suggest that, with the right tactical setup, he has the potential to develop into a top-class striker. If Napoli are truly interested, United should hold firm on their valuation rather than rushing into a deal that could be regretted later.

Moreover, there is little guarantee that Napoli will be willing to meet United’s asking price. Serie A clubs, even the top ones, rarely spend €60 million on a single signing. Unless United are willing to significantly reduce their demands, this move seems unlikely.