Napoli target Arokodare as Lukaku’s replacement

Reigning Serie A champions Napoli are reportedly eyeing a sensational move for Super Eagles and Genk striker Tolu Arokodare, in a bid to replace the injured Romelu Lukaku, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Napoli manager Antonio Conte is actively seeking the market for a new talisman, following the news that first-choice forward Romelu Lukaku would be out on the sidelines for the long-term due to injury. The Naples based outfit have listed several candidates including Arokodare and Manchester United youngster Rasmus Hojlund as potential replacements.

According to Italian transfer journalist, Fabrizio Romano, “Napoli keep moving for new striker after Romelu Lukaku injury and today made contact with Tolu Arokodare’s camp. He is valued at €20/25m by Genk after being top scorer last season in Belgium. Follows moves for Højlund on Monday as Napoli are exploring the strikers market.”

The 24-year-old Nigerian international had a brilliant 2024/25 campaign with his Belgian Jupiler League outfit Genk, scoring 23 goals and providing seven assists in 45 appearances across all competitions to end the season with the top scorer award. His superb displays last term saw him linked with several European teams during the summer transfer window, although a move seems far from fruition.

Arokodare opened his goal account for the season in Genk’s 2-1 defeat away at Standard Liege this mont. The Nigerian striker has started every game from the bench this season, with club gaffer Thorsten Fink implying that his future lay away from the squad by saying, “It’s money time for Tolu. The club simply has to sell.”

It is yet to be seen where Arokodare might be playing his football come the end of the summer transfer window, but a move to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona just might be a huge boost for his budding career as one of Europe’s fearsome attackers.

Source: Punch