Nigeria Players Abroad
Rumour Mill: Napoli eye Nigeria’s Arokodare as Lukaku injury opens door for reinforcements
By Dayo Awoniyi
Italian Serie A champions Napoli are weighing up a move for Nigeria’s Tolu Arokodare as they search for cover following Romelu Lukaku’s long-term injury layoff.
Lukaku, signed in the summer to spearhead Antonio Conte’s frontline, is expected to miss several months, forcing the Partenopei to explore the market for a like-for-like replacement.
Arokodare, who finished last season as top scorer in the Belgian Pro League with KRC Genk, has emerged as a strong candidate. Standing at 1.97m, the 23-year-old is renowned for his aerial dominance, physical presence, and powerful finishing — attributes that mirror Lukaku’s style.
Renowned transfer insider Alfredo Pedullà revealed that Conte has already added the Nigerian forward to his shortlist.
“Conte needs a centre forward after Lukaku’s injury,” Pedullà stated. “Many names are circulating… Genk’s Arokodare, who closely resembles Lukaku in terms of physical build.”
Arokodare’s career trajectory has been a steady climb. After breaking through in Latvia with Valmiera, he moved to Amiens in France before joining Genk, where his consistent scoring and improved link-up play have drawn attention from clubs across Europe.
For Napoli, who are battling to keep their title defense alive amid a growing injury list, recruiting a reliable forward is crucial.
Arokodare’s potential arrival would also extend the club’s tradition of investing in emerging African talents — a path previously trodden by Osimhen, who became a cult hero at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium before his record-breaking move away.
