Napoli secure agreement for Serie A striker Lorenzo Lucca | OneFootball

Napoli have reached an agreement with Udinese to sign Lorenzo Lucca (h/t journalist Gianluca Di Marzio).

Having previously agreed terms with the Italian forward, the Serie A Champions have now sorted out the final transfer fee.

Lucca will move to Diego Maradona Stadium on an initial loan worth €9 million with a mandatory buy-option of €26m, taking the total cost to €35m.

Napoli accelerated their pursuit of Lucca after pulling out of the race for Liverpool centre-forward Darwin Nunez.

Nunez was identified as Antonio Conte’s preferred marquee target for the summer, but Napoli had a €55m proposal turned down by the Reds.

Lucca will look to carry on the impressive form he displayed at Udinese, as Napoli prepare to defend their Scudetto and compete in the Champions League.

The 24-year-old netted 14 goals and two assists in all competitions last season. He made his debut with the Italian national team in October.

A host of European clubs showed utmost interest in Lucca, but the Neapolitans came out on top in the transfer race.

Although he is touted as a strong back-up for Romelu Lukaku, Lucca has immense potential to compete for the starting spot and be a key component of Conte’s squad.

Lucca is another significant addition as part of the summer overhaul, with Napoli already completing the signings of Kevin De Bruyne and Luca Marianucci.

PSV Eindhoven winger Noa Lang has arrived at Napoli for his medical tests ahead of a €25 million move.

A deal for Bologna centre-back Sam Beukema is in the pipeline, while Napoli are in talks to sell Victor Osimhen to Galatasaray.