AC Milan’s hopes of signing promising striker Lorenzo Lucca have officially come to an end. The 24-year-old forward, currently under contract with Udinese, is set to join Napoli in the 2025 summer transfer window, according to his agent, Claudio Anellucci.
Despite already securing the services of Santiago Gimenez last season, Milan had been actively searching for additional firepower in the attacking line. The arrival of new head coach Massimiliano Allegri has altered the club’s attacking priorities, with Allegri believed to be in search of a different profile to lead the line.
While Gimenez has shown flashes of potential, Allegri reportedly views the Mexican striker as less suitable for the tactical system he plans to implement at San Siro. This led to renewed interest in Lorenzo Lucca, who emerged as a serious target due to his physical presence, aerial ability, and consistent goal-scoring form with Udinese.
However, that pursuit is now over.
Napoli Secure the Edge in Lucca Transfer Race
In a significant twist, Napoli have beaten Milan in the race to sign Lorenzo Lucca. Claudio Anellucci, Lucca’s agent, has publicly confirmed that his client is on the verge of finalizing a move to the Partenopei.
In an interview with 1 Station Radio, as reported by Sempre Milan, Anellucci revealed that negotiations between Napoli and Udinese are nearly complete, signaling that Lucca’s future lies in Naples rather than Milan.
“Lucca? I was among the first to say he would go to Napoli and that they were ready to make a major financial commitment,” said Anellucci.
“It’s not because I have a crystal ball or magical powers, but because I know what’s going on behind the scenes.”
Napoli’s aggressive pursuit and readiness to meet Udinese’s asking price proved to be the decisive factors in securing the striker’s signature.
Milan Held Back by Financial Constraints
One of the key reasons Milan pulled out of the Lucca race was the significant transfer fee involved. Udinese reportedly placed a hefty price tag on the forward—one that Milan were unwilling or unable to match due to budgetary constraints and ongoing financial planning.
According to Anellucci, Napoli are prepared to pay a fee in the region of €50 million to bring Lucca to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
“I know that Napoli’s sporting director traveled to London to meet with Udinese’s ownership,” Anellucci explained.
“From there, I connected the dots. So yes, I continue to say Lucca is going to Napoli—and the deal will be worth around 50 million euros.”
Lucca’s Career on the Rise
Lorenzo Lucca’s stock has risen considerably in the past two seasons. Standing at 6’7” (201 cm), the striker has drawn comparisons to legendary target men due to his physical attributes and technical improvement.
With Napoli looking to reinforce their attacking line after missing out on the Scudetto in the 2024/25 campaign, Lucca appears to be a crucial addition to their long-term project under newly appointed manager Antonio Conte.
For AC Milan, losing out on Lorenzo Lucca will be a disappointment, particularly given the initial optimism surrounding his potential arrival. However, with a new managerial era under Massimiliano Allegri, the Rossoneri may soon shift focus to alternative targets who better align with Allegri’s tactical preferences and the club’s financial realities.
As for Lucca, a move to Napoli represents a major step in his career—a chance to compete at the highest level in Serie A and in European competitions, while helping to lead Napoli’s next title charge.
ALSO READ :
