Ex-Serie A Striker Backs Liverpool Star to Play Alongside Lukaku at Napoli

NAPLES, ITALY – MAY 23: Romelu Lukaku of Napoli scores his team’s second goal whilst under pressure from Michel Ndary Adopo of Cagliari during the Serie A match between Napoli and Cagliari at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on May 23, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Former Serie A striker Francesco Caputo feels Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez, a top target for Napoli in attack, would be more than a mere backup to Romelu Lukaku at the Stadio Maradona.

Napoli are set to become the 2025-26 season as title defenders after winning their second Scudetto in three years.

Antonio Conte aims to add depth and quality to a squad that will be playing in the Champions League next season.

The Partenopei have already secured the services of Kevin De Bruyne on a free transfer from Manchester City and will surely be among the underdogs in next season’s Champions League.

Can Nunez play alongside Lukaku at Napoli?

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Nunez is the latest Premier League player linked with a move to Napoli, and ex-Serie A striker Caputo commented on his possible move to the Stadio Maradona.

“He is the profile of an international-level striker. Napoli will play many games, so he would not just be a backup for Lukaku,” Caputo told Radio Kiss Kiss via TMW.

“Nunez is different from Lukaku. I like him a lot, and I think he could even play alongside Lukaku because they have different skill sets. Conte stayed at Napoli because he was given clear guarantees about a specific project. The signing of De Bruyne proves it.”

Conte was linked with a move to Juventus in May, but the Italian tactician said earlier this month that he had not reached an agreement with the Bianconeri.

“What upsets me is that, just a month before the end of the season, there were talks of me going to Juventus, suggesting I could leave Napoli,” the Partenopei boss told Sky Sport Italia weeks after winning the Scudetto with the Azzurri.

Conte upset by rumours on Napoli future

“I had no agreement whatsoever with Juventus. To anyone who tried to approach me, I said, ‘I won’t speak to anyone until I’ve talked with [Napoli President] President De Laurentiis.’”

Caputo, scorer of 69 goals in 206 Serie A matches, added: “Conte’s stay is an added value to Napoli. He prefers physically structured strikers, such as Lukaku, so he needs a similar player. Lorenzo Lucca [another Napoli target] is a modern forward as he combines physical strength with technical ability, and he could be an important backup to Lukaku.”

Conte’s Napoli will make their 2025-26 Serie A debut on August 23, visiting newly promoted side Sassuolo.

In the following week, on August 30, the Partenopei will host Cagliari in their first home game of the campaign.