Antonio Conte Ready To Enter Striker Market As Lorenzo Lucca Nears Six-Month Loan Deal
Napoli are considering multiple strikers from across Europe as Benfica agree terms over a love deal involving Lorenzo Lucca.
Louis Fargher
Updated on 07 January 2026
Antonio Conte is looking to add another striker to his ranks in January as Lorenzo Lucca edges closer to a six-month loan move.
Lorenzo Lucca Nears Benfica Loan
The Partenopei striker has struggled to adapt to life in Naples during his maiden campaign and Lucca is set to complete a temporary move to Benfica for the remainder of this season.
Napoli signed the Italian international during the summer transfer window on an initial loan deal, spending €9million to complete the move and the Serie A champions also agreed to a obligatory buy clause of €26m plus €5m in add-ons.
This fee became active after Napoli clinched their first league points in 2026 and Lucca has failed to meet this price through his performances so far.
The 25-year-old has made just four starts in Serie A, finding the back of the net on just one occasion and failing to score a goal in his last 10 league appearances.
Napoli have been left frustrated by Lucca’s display so far as Romelu Lukaku has only just returned from injury, meaning the goal-scoring burden has fallen on the shoulders of Rasmus Hojlund.
The Scudetto holders have looked into attacking options this January, with Napoli targeting Abdul Fatawu from Leicester City and this could allow Lucca to leave before the end of the season.
Benfica have initiated negotiations with Napoli to discuss the structure of a six-month loan deal, as the Portuguese side are unwilling to pay 100% of Lucca’s salary.
Moving to Portugal would not end Lucca’s permanent switch to Napoli as the obligatory buy clause has already been activated.
Napoli are willing to let their summer addition leave this month and Antonio Conte has already started his search for a new talisman.
Napoli Begin Striker Search
Romleu Lukaku has missed the entirety of this season so far after an injury in Napoli’s final pre-season clash and the Belgian made his return to the matchday squad during the Partenopei’s Supercoppa Italiana success.
The 32-year-old did not get onto the pitch, however his return will be a huge relief for Conte as Napoli’s options in front of goal are extremely limited.
Although the search for a striker is high on Conte’s list, Napoli are still looking to bring in a midfielder this January and have been left scrambling as Kobbie Mainoo remains in Manchester after Ruben Amorim’s dismissal.
The Partenopei’s search for a new midfielder is ongoing and the Serie A champions are now diverting their focus to a striker that can be used as a back-up option.
One candidate is Manchester United star Joshua Zirkzee, as the Dutchman continues to struggle in the Premier League – but Napoli will have to battle Roma.
Another contender is the clubs’ former star Giacomo Raspadori, as the Italian is already looking to make a return to Serie A after a poor spell in Spain.
Conte will wait for Lucca’s situation to unfold before signing another striker, but the Italian is hoping to complete a deal before the latter stages of this window.
Louis Fargher
Louis has been an avid soccer enthusiast for multiple years and boasts knowledge across several leagues in Europe - including Serie A. Louis holds a degree in Soccer Journalism and has produced content for multiple clubs in the United Kingdom.
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