Overview

• Lukaku sustained the right‑thigh injury in Thursday’s friendly against Olympiakos and will undergo a surgical examination, with an operation possible.
• The club has not provided a recovery timetable, though Italian reports suggest he could be sidelined until November.
• British media report Napoli has explored short‑term cover, including free agent Jamie Vardy, with Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson also cited but potentially costly.
• Separate reports link Vardy with Celtic, Rangers and Everton, signaling competition should Napoli move for the veteran striker.
• Napoli opens the Serie A season away to Sassuolo on Saturday after Lukaku’s 14 goals and 10 assists helped deliver last season’s title.