Credit: Imago

Daniel Davis

Tue 10 March 2026 17:28, UK

Everton‘s decision not to sign Lorenzo Lucca now looks like a masterstroke.

The Toffees have been linked with the striker on several occasions, most recently in the summer, but were beaten to the punch by Nottingham Forest in January.

However, Lucca’s loan switch from Napoli hasn’t gone according to plan. After scoring on his debut, he sustained an ankle injury and returned to Italy for treatment.

His drab performances since arriving in England have demonstrated that Everton were right not to sign him, and now, a journalist’s explosive claims have piled on his misery.

Everton avoided Lorenzo Lucca attitude headache

Back in April 2025, GiveMeSport claimed that Lucca was on the Merseyside outfit’s radar.

In a different world, he could have become the club’s first statement signing after their move to Hill Dickinson Stadium, but instead headed to Naples from Udinese.

A £28million price tag was mooted then, while Forest currently hold an option to buy for £35m, which they are increasingly unlikely to trigger in the summer.

Questions have also begun to be asked over his off-field behaviour at Napoli, with Italian journalist Salvatore Caiazza painting a grim picture.

Caiazza said, via TuttoNapoli: “He wasn’t able to integrate into this team due to his character flaws. I assure you, and I say this because I know it, that no one could stand him.

“He didn’t create synergy with anyone. He was alone, he went out alone.”

Judging from this claim, Everton dodged a bullet. Instead, they should look to sign Juventus forward Edon Zhegrova, who is set to move on from Turin at the end of the season.

David Moyes never needed Lucca

While Moyes will likely try to recruit a new striker in the summer, his surprise bid for European football has been boosted by some impressive firepower.

Iliman Ndiaye and Jack Grealish have arguably been his best players, with the latter chalking up eight goal contributions since joining from Manchester City.

Ndiaye admirably moved across to the right-hand side following the loan signing of Grealish, but has proven he can make an impact across the entire frontline.

It would make perfect sense for Everton to look to sign the England international permanently, but first, they will have to monitor his recovery from a foot injury.