Thu. Jul 31st, 2025

Napoli Targets Lucca as Nunez Deal Falls Through

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 19: Darwin Nunez of Liverpool looks on, during the warm up prior to the Premier League match between Aston Villa FC and Liverpool FC at Villa Park on February 19, 2025 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

According to Sky Sport Italia, Napoli is increasingly likely to pursue Lorenzo Lucca from Udinese after Liverpool`s asking price for Darwin Nunez proved too steep. The Partenopei had been searching for a new center-forward to complement Romelu Lukaku in the upcoming season.

Initially, Nunez was Napoli`s primary target, with the club prepared to invest up to €43 million for the 25-year-old striker. However, this offer fell short of Liverpool`s €50 million valuation, prompting Napoli to explore alternative options.

Lucca: A More Cost-Effective Solution

Transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio reports that Napoli has decided to abandon their pursuit of Nunez in favor of Lucca. The 24-year-old Udinese forward is expected to cost significantly less at around €30 million, making him a more financially viable option for the club.

Lucca, who harbors ambitions of breaking into the Italian national team, could prove to be a shrewd acquisition for Napoli. The club has already made progress in strengthening their squad, having reached agreements with PSV Eindhoven for Noa Lang and nearing a deal for Bologna winger Dan Ndoye.

This shift in transfer strategy demonstrates Napoli`s adaptability in the face of financial constraints, as they look to build a competitive squad for the forthcoming season while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

By Vihaan Mehrotra

In the heart of Bangalore lives and works Vihaan Mehrotra, one of modern India's most insightful sports analysts. His childhood passion for cricket and field hockey evolved into a successful career. His daily column in Bangalore's digital media covers all significant world sporting events, from cricket matches to badminton tournaments. As a sports betting expert, he developed his own methodology for analyzing team statistics. His IPL match predictions are renowned for their 75% accuracy rate.

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