Napoli are monitoring Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund and Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson after Romelu Lukaku’s injury blow.
Lukaku is set for a long spell on the sidelines after suffering a thigh injury in the Italian club’s 2-1 pre-season victory over Olympiacos on Thursday.
The 32-year-old scored 14 goals and registered 10 assists as Napoli clinched the Serie A title under head coach Antonio Conte last season.
Lukaku’s injury has seen Napoli change their transfer plans with the club now looking to bring in a new striker before the summer window closes.
Napoli have entered the race to sign Hojlund – according to The Guardian – but face competition from AC Milan and Premier League club Fulham.
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United are happy to offload Hojlund, who they signed in a £72m deal from Atalanta in 2023, after recruiting Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig.
Napoli are interested in a loan deal for Hojlund, which could potentially see him link up with former United midfielder Scott McTominay.
The Italian champions are also considering an approach for Chelsea forward Jackson, with talks ‘expected to take place’ in the coming days.
That’s according to The Telegraph, who report that Napoli have a ‘close’ relationship with Jackson’s representatives.
Chelsea are open to offers for Jackson after bringing in two new strikers this summer – Joao Pedro from Brighton and Liam Delap from Ipswich.
Similar to the situation with Hojlund, Napoli would face a battle to land Jackson given other clubs are looking at potential deals for the forward.
Jackson has attracted interest from the likes of Newcastle, Aston Villa, AC Milan, Juventus and Bayern Munich this summer.
The Senegal international has conjured up 30 goals and 12 assists in 81 games for Chelsea since he joined the club in a £32m deal from Villarreal.
Hojlund, meanwhile, has scored 26 times and provided six assists across 95 matches for United.
The Denmark international was left out of United’s squad for the team’s first Premier League game of the season against Arsenal on Sunday.
Fulham have reportedly ‘sounded out’ United over a potential move for Hojlund if they end up losing Rodrigo Muniz in the summer window.
Muniz has been linked with a £40m move to Atalanta – although a deal is thought to have hit somewhat of a stumbling block.
If Muniz does join Atalanta, though, then Hojlund is one of the players Fulham are considering as a replacement for the Brazilian.
