Napoli keeps pushing on the transfer market: Lucca follows Lang and Beukema

Napoli is showing no signs of slowing down in this summer’s transfer window, pushing forward with one of the most aggressive and high-profile recruitment drives in recent years.

The latest name on the verge of joining the reigning Scudetto holders is Lorenzo Lucca, a towering striker from Udinese, whose potential move to Naples has been the subject of intense discussions across Italian media. According to multiple credible reports from Italy, Napoli and Udinese have reached an agreement that will see Lucca arrive initially on loan, with a mandatory purchase clause that guarantees his stay beyond the upcoming season.

The financial terms of the deal reflect Napoli’s strategic approach to transfers in a post-pandemic market that still challenges even the wealthiest of clubs. The Neapolitans will pay an upfront loan fee of nine million euros to Udinese. However, what makes this deal particularly significant is the obligatory clause that forces Napoli to complete the permanent signing of Lucca for an additional 26 million euros next summer. This brings the total value of the operation to 35 million euros a substantial figure for a player who, until recently, was still considered an emerging talent rather than an established star.

For Lorenzo Lucca, this transfer marks a pivotal point in his career. Born in Moncalieri, the 24-year-old striker has taken a circuitous route to the top of Italian football. Standing at 2.01 meters tall, Lucca is physically imposing, often compared to classic target men of the past. His height and aerial dominance make him a constant threat in the box, but his development in recent seasons has shown that he offers far more than just a physical presence. Lucca is capable with the ball at his feet, has improved his movement off the ball, and has refined his ability to link up play with midfielders and wingers.

His career breakthrough came not in Serie A, but in the lower leagues of Italian football, working his way up from Palermo and Pisa, where he first started attracting attention for his goal-scoring exploits in Serie B. This journey to prominence was punctuated by his move to Ajax in the 2022/23 season, making him the first Italian ever to play for the Dutch giants. Although his stint in Amsterdam was not statistically explosive he struggled to find the net consistently it was a formative experience that exposed him to the technical demands and tactical sophistication of Dutch football. His time at Ajax also gave him invaluable European experience, something that now makes him an even more appealing prospect for a club like Napoli, with ambitions on the continental stage.

Returning to Italy, Lucca signed permanently for Udinese for eight million euros, and it was at the Friuli-based club where he truly began to fulfill his promise. In the 2023/24 Serie A campaign, Lucca featured in 33 matches, scoring twelve goals and providing two assists an impressive tally for a player in a mid-table side that often had to fight hard for points against more dominant opponents. His performances were not just about numbers; his ability to hold up play, press defenders, and create space for his teammates was crucial in Udinese’s system. These attributes are precisely what Napoli have been seeking as they look to diversify their attacking options.

Napoli’s pursuit of Lucca is part of a broader, well-orchestrated summer overhaul designed to solidify the club's status as the dominant force in Italy while preparing for a more competitive push in the UEFA Champions League. The signing of Kevin De Bruyne from Manchester City was already a clear statement of intent bringing in one of the best midfielders of his generation signals that Napoli are not just thinking about Serie A but are aiming for European success. With De Bruyne orchestrating play in the middle of the park, having a physically commanding striker like Lucca to target will offer a tactical variation that could be decisive in tightly contested matches, especially against defensively solid European sides.

Moreover, Napoli are not stopping there. Deals for Dutch winger Noa Lang and defender Sam Beukema are reportedly close to completion, further adding depth and quality to a squad that, despite winning the league, showed signs of fatigue and limitations in European competitions. Lang, with his creativity, speed, and ability to break defensive lines, complements Napoli’s traditionally fast and technical style, while Beukema is expected to bring defensive stability and options in the backline.

From a tactical perspective, Lucca’s arrival could reshape Napoli’s attacking setup. The club has often relied on quick, technical forwards like Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to break down defenses with pace and skill. With Lucca, Napoli gain a true reference point up front a player capable of battling physically with defenders, holding up play to allow midfield runners to join the attack, and converting aerial opportunities, especially from set-pieces. This tactical flexibility will be invaluable for Napoli as they face different types of opposition both in Italy and in Europe.

For Lucca himself, the move is not just a step up it is the chance of a lifetime to establish himself as one of Italy’s premier strikers and potentially secure a regular spot in the national team. The Azzurri have long been searching for a reliable number nine, and a successful season at Napoli, combined with exposure in the Champions League, could catapult Lucca into contention for future international tournaments.

Napoli’s president Aurelio De Laurentiis and the club’s sporting leadership deserve credit for their vision and willingness to invest decisively. The club is not only refreshing the squad with younger talents but also mixing them with seasoned stars like De Bruyne to create a balanced team capable of sustained success.

In summary, Lorenzo Lucca’s imminent arrival at Napoli is more than just another transfer it is part of a carefully constructed project that could redefine the club’s identity for years to come. With an ambitious transfer policy, a blend of youth and experience, and a clear strategy to conquer both domestic and European stages, Napoli is signaling that their recent success is only the beginning. As the season approaches, fans in Naples will be eager to see how Lucca and his fellow new signings integrate into a team that aspires not just to defend their title, but to leave a mark in Europe’s elite competitions.