Who is Arsenal and Man Utd linked 6’7 striker Lorenzo Lucca?  | OneFootball

According to Italian publication Messaggero Veneto, Arsenal and Man Utd are among the clubs looking at Udinese striker Lorenzo Lucca.

The 24-year-old has scored 10 league goals this season and Nottingham Forest, Liverpool, Manchester United, West Ham as well as Atlético Madrid are all said to be keen on acquiring him.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Italian striker…

Contract status

Lucca only joined Udinese permanently last summer after an initial loan spell at the club in the 2023/24 season. He scored nine goals in his first season, and Udinese decided to make the move permanent for a fee of €8 million. He is still contracted to them for another three years until 2028.

He joined the Italian side from Jong Ajax, who he played with for one year, scoring six goals in 14 games. According to Messaggero Veneto, Udinese are now looking for at least €30 million for their star striker.

Style of play

Standing at a whopping 6’7″ tall, Lucca is known for his link-up play, technical skills, and intelligence in receiving the ball, with his style resembling that of Olivier Giroud. He is also known for his ability to bring teammates into play in wide areas.

He is particularly effective with his back to goal, and likes to drop deep. With the pace on the wings that Arsenal possess in Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, a central forward who drops deep and plays them in could be very effective, as it was for Tottenham when Harry Kane was at the club. His size obviously makes him a threat in the air and he is a very effective target man.

Who is interested?

Currently a whole host of sides including Arsenal, Nottingham Forest, Liverpool, Manchester United, West Ham, as well as Atlético Madrid are all thought to be keen.

Given Lucca is still tied down to Udinese for a significant period of time, as well as the fact he is still fairly raw, a number of these sides may not be willing to pay the €30 million fee it would take to prise him away.

What’s been said?

Lucca stole a penalty from his strike partner Florian Thauvin, the designated taker, a month ago in a game against Lecce and was forced to later apologise, saying: “I wanted to be tough but alone I’m nobody.”

The striker is not short of confidence and says he wants to play abroad in the future, telling Gazzetta Dello Sport: “I have grown physically, technically and mentally. Abroad I see more goals. Serie A is difficult but it is a challenge that gives me adrenaline. I am the master of my destiny.”

Did you know?

An interesting fact about Lucca is that despite his height of 6’7″ (2.01 meters), he’s known for his blend of power, technique, pace, and movement, defying expectations of a typical target man.

Also, he made history in 2021 by becoming the first Italian player to score for Ajax in the club’s 122-year history. He joined the Dutch giants on loan from Pisa and netted his debut goal in an Eredivisie match against Excelsior.