Napoli market, Jose Mourinho swoops in on Napoli champion
In this first part of the season Napoli has shown some limitations compared to last season: certainly the commitment in the Champions League (which last year was not there) is an extra obstacle but we must also take into account that not all the summer signings of sporting director Manna are working. Among them is certainly Lorenzo Lucca, from whom Antonio Conte expected much more: the center forward landed in Campania from Udinese and his transfer had excited the Neapolitan people, who, however, soon changed their minds.
Compounded by Romelu Lukaku’s injury, Lorenzo Lucca has had several opportunities to show his qualities but it is clear that something has not worked: the center forward has not convinced and so far has scored just his goals (one in the Italian Cup and one in the league). Antonio Conte is very disappointed with Lucca and could part with him as early as the winter soccer market window: Napoli would like to anticipate the redemption from Udinese (renegotiating downwards the figures agreed in the summer) and then sell the center forward on loan in the hope that he will find his best condition again.
According to Portuguese media reports, José Mourinho’s Benfica have reportedly set their eyes on Lorenzo Lucca: the Special One is looking for a profile to reinforce the offensive department and seems convinced of the former Ajax player’s potential. A permanent transfer is difficult: Napoli is not convinced and would prefer to sell him on a temporary basis until the end of the season. In recent days there has also been talk of a possible exchange with Artem Dovbyk with Roma but the fit is difficult and the Ukrainian is more oriented toward the Premier League.
Recently Napoli’s Head of First Team Management, Lele Oriali, spoke exclusively to the microphones of Radio CRC, taking stock of the Azzurri’s 2025: “None of us thought we would lead such an extraordinary year. I remember at the beginning of the season, when I spoke with the boys, there was the conviction that we could do well, but certainly not to reach certain levels and certain goals.”
“This year I think the list of pretenders has widened a little bit and in addition to us and Inter there are Milan, Roma and Juventus. I think it will be a good fight between these five from here to the end. We are lucky to have our leader, Antonio Conte, who does not get down in front of difficulties. And the team has followed him: we have faced serious problems, managing, through his insights and ideas, to find the right square,” Oriali concluded.
