Despite prolonged talks and giving in to some of the player’s demands, Serie A heavyweights Napoli have failed to secure a new contract for their enigmatic winger Dries Mertens, as the player plans a move to the Premier League.
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Mertens, 29, has had a blistering campaign this season for the Italian side, scoring 24 goals and notching 11 assists in a span of 35 games in all competitions – a form that has attracted quite a few suitors from across Europe.
Serie A rivals Inter Milan are thought to be close following Mertens’ progress at the Stadio San Paolo for the last few months and were confident of their ability to reel in the Belgian International to the San Siro in the summer.
But Mertens, who hails from Leuven in Belgium, has other ideas, it seems. Indeed, according to Dutch daily Het Laaste Nieuws the 29-year-old wide man has rejected his contract extension with Napoli in an effort to force a move to the Premier League next season.
As it stands, it is understood that there are quite a few English top-flight clubs who are monitoring Mertens’ situation, but none appear keen to make a serious move just yet – that is, apart from Manchester United.
The Old Trafford outfit have ramped up their interest in the former Anderlecht star in recent weeks, with United gaffer Jose Mourinho a huge fan of the pacey winger. Indeed, representatives from both parties are believed to have already made preliminary talks and United are confident they can get their man.
Mertens certainly looks like a good fit at the Theatre of Dreams, with the Reds currently without a natural left winger since the departure of Memphis Depay in January.
Of course, whether or not Mertens does indeed transfer to Manchester United in the summer, remains to be seen.