Napoli have seemingly given up on signing Liverpool flop Darwin Nunez and are instead ‘finalising’ a deal for Udinese striker Lorenzo Lucca, according to Italian media.
Nunez has been expected to leave Liverpool this summer, but the Reds’ hopes of offloading the €85 million flop appear to have suffered a setback. According to Sky Italia, Napoli have ‘reduced their contact’ with the Anfield club for the Uruguay international.
The 26-year-old was the Serie A champions’ absolute top target this summer, and Nunez was understood to be keen on making the move to Italy. However, Napoli appear to have ultimately baulked at Liverpool’s €70 million asking price.
Despite being on the verge of selling Victor Osimhen to Galatasaray for €75m, Napoli are unwilling to immediately reinvest the majority of that money on Nunez, especially in light of his largely disappointing performances at Liverpool.
Instead, the Serie A giants are now prioritising a move for Udinese striker Lorenzo Lucca, who is coming off a 14-goal season and has been attracting big-name attention from Italy and beyond.
Napoli set to sign Lucca
The above-mentioned outlet states that Napoli are in the process of finalising a €34m deal to sign Lucca. Personal terms with the 24-year-old have already been agreed, it is claimed.
Napoli are trying to push through this transfer by early next week. Antonio Conte wants to have him available for the start of pre-season, but the urgency is also due to the interest in him from elsewhere.
Atalanta, too, are keen on Lucca as they need to find a replacement for Mateo Retegui. The Italy international is on his way to Saudi side Al-Qadsiah for €65m, becoming the most expensive Italian ever in the process while also pocketing seven times his current salary.
As for Liverpool, the news of Napoli giving up on Nunez will come as a major disappointment. It is thought that any signing of a new No.9 will be contingent on the Reds managing to offload the Uruguay international first.
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