Zirkzee emerges as Conte’s first option to replace Lukaku at Napoli | OneFootball

Multiple sources in Italy claim that Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee is Napoli’s leading candidate to replace the injured Romelu Lukaku.

Napoli confirmed a serious injury for Lukaku on Monday morning, and according to various reports in Italy, the Belgian forward will remain out of action for approximately three months.

Zirkzee is Napoli’s main option to replace injured Lukaku

Joshua Zirkzee of Manchester United gestures during the warm up prior to the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester United FC at Anfield on January 05, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

This will force Napoli to look on the market for a new centre forward, and Corriere dello Sport already reported in the morning that Zirkzee was among the Partenopei candidates alongside Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta, Roma’s Artem Dovbyk and Lecce’s Nikola Krstovic.

CASTEL DI SANGRO, ITALY – AUGUST 14: Romelu Lukaku of Napoli lies on the pitch after being injured during the pre-season friendly match between Napoli and Olympiacos at Stadio Teofilo Patini on August 14, 2025 in Castel di Sangro, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images)

The latest reports, including those of transfer experts Niccolò Ceccarini and Orazio Accomando, however, claim that Zirkzee has emerged as Conte’s favourite option to replace Lukaku.

Man United strikers targeted by Serie A clubs

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 30: Joshua Zirkzee of Manchester United is challenged by Will Alves of Leicester City during the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Manchester United and Leicester City at Old Trafford on October 30, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

The Dutch forward has just started his second season at Old Trafford, having completed a permanent transfer from Bologna in the summer of 2024.

Zirkzee isn’t the only Manchester United striker targeted by a Serie A club as Milan director Igli Tare confirmed interest in Rasmus Hojlund on Sunday.