Napoli have suffered a major blow at the start of the season with the club confirming striker Romelu Lukaku will be out for a significant period of time.
The Belgian hobbled off the pitch clutching his thigh during Thursday’s final pre-season friendly against Olympiacos.
And the Gli Azzurri have announced that the injury he sustained was a serious one.
A club statement read: ‘following the injury sustained in the match against Olympiacos, Romelu Lukaku underwent tests at Pineta Grande Hospital, which revealed a high-grade injury to the rectus femoris muscle in his left thigh.
The Napoli player has already begun rehabilitation and will also undergo surgical consultation.’
Fabrizio Romano then provided a timeline for his return, reporting that Napoli will now be looking in to bring in another forward before the window closes.
Romelu Lukaku is set to be on the sidelines for around three months due to a thigh injury
Lukaku suffered the injury in Thursday’s pre-season friendly against Olympiacos
The forward has begun rehabilitation and will also undergo a surgical consultation
He posted on X: ‘Napoli are back on the market for new striker as reported yesterday, due to serious injury for Romelu Lukaku.
‘The Belgian striker suffered muscle injury and won’t be available for the next three months at least.’
Lukaku contributed 14 goals and 11 assists in 38 appearances for Napoli last season.
He finished as the club’s top scorer for the campaign, helping them claim the Serie A title.
Corriere dello Sport claim Man United’s Joshua Zirkzee has emerged as Napoli’s top target while Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta, Roma’s Artem Dovbyk and Lecce’s Nikola Krstovic are also being considered.