As the 2025 summer transfer window concludes, several Italian forwards have made significant club changes, each with the aspiration of earning a place in the esteemed Azzurri national squad this upcoming season.
The Italian national team is keenly focused on securing crucial goals and points during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, aiming to qualify for the tournament after a decade-long absence.
For the past ten years, Italy has openly sought out a consistent, high-scoring forward. The new football season presents a compelling opportunity for emerging talents to make their mark on the international stage.
This article highlights three strikers whose recent summer transfers position them as strong candidates for an Italian national team call-up.
Lorenzo Lucca – Napoli
Lorenzo Lucca, a 24-year-old forward, has completed a move to Napoli from Udinese, initially on loan with an option for a permanent transfer. Last season, he netted 12 goals in 33 Serie A matches for Udinese. Lucca is no stranger to the national setup, having already earned five caps under former coach Luciano Spalletti, though he is still seeking his debut international goal. While a starting position at Stadio Maradona might not be immediate, training alongside Romelu Lukaku and under the guidance of Antonio Conte is expected to significantly accelerate his growth. This new environment could provide him with a real opportunity to compete with established players like Moise Kean and Mateo Retegui for a coveted spot in the national team`s attacking line-up.
Francesco Camarda – Lecce
Seventeen-year-old prodigy Francesco Camarda has transferred to Lecce from AC Milan on a loan deal, which includes both an option to buy and a buy-back clause for Milan. Camarda holds the distinction of being the youngest player to debut in Serie A and the youngest Italian to feature in the Champions League last season. Despite not yet scoring in Serie A, he is widely recognized as one of Italy`s brightest attacking prospects. His switch to Stadio Via Del Mare should offer him more consistent senior team football than he would have received at Milan. It remains to be seen if his path to the senior Azzurri squad will first involve a stint with the Italy U21 team, especially after his impressive record of six goals in ten appearances for the U19 national side.
Francesco Pio Esposito – Inter
Francesco Pio Esposito, although not expected to be an immediate starter for Inter, has secured his place at the club following a convincing performance in the Club World Cup, which included a goal against River Plate. This decision comes after a productive two-season loan spell at Spezia in Serie B, where he registered 22 goals in 79 matches. The 20-year-old has already demonstrated his scoring prowess for the Italy U21 squad, with seven goals in eleven appearances, and will be looking to take the next crucial step in his international career this season.
It`s also worth remembering Gianluca Scamacca, who was Italy`s starting striker at the Euros just a year ago but missed the entire 2024-25 season due to a knee injury. The former West Ham forward is now poised for his return to action with Atalanta. While not a recent transfer for La Dea, the departure of Mateo Retegui to Al-Qadsiah significantly reduces his competition for a starting role in Bergamo. The question remains whether this will be sufficient for him to re-establish himself as a pivotal player under Gennaro Gattuso`s management.
