Lukaku ruled out for three months with injury, Napoli eyeing a stop-gap striker | OneFootball

Napoli have confirmed that star striker Romelu Lukaku has suffered a serious thigh injury during the friendly game against Olympiacos.

With the Belgian striker set for a spell on the sidelines, Napoli are in the market for a stop-gap replacement, despite investing in talented centre-forward Lorenzo Lucca from Udinese this summer.

The Italian international has the potential to lead the attack, but manager Antonio Conte wants to add more firepower to his forward options.

The Partneopei have reportedly drawn a shortlist of targets, including Joshua Zirkzee, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Artem Dovbyk and Nikola Krstovic.

Zirkzee is Conte’s preferred option to bolster Napoli’s attack after falling down the pecking order at Manchester United.

The Dutch international experienced a rocky debut season at Old Trafford last term, failing to replicate the form he displayed at Bologna.

His future is uncertain following the arrival of Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig. The Slovenian will spearhead United’s new look attack, which also consists of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.

Mateta has drawn interest from several top clubs, but Crystal Palace have made it clear that he is not for sale.

The Serie A champions are plotting a loan move for Dovbyk, who has also been linked with a move to Leeds United.

Roma prefer a permanent sale and are looking for around €30 million for the Ukrainian striker.

Lecce’s Krstovic is also up for grabs in the transfer market after deciding to take the next step in his career.

The highly talented Montenegrin has drawn interest from Roma and Leeds.