Italian transfer news website Calcio Mercato today reported that Napoli are desperately trying to negotiate a new deal for winger Dries Mertens.
The Italian club are reacting to interest over the summer from Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho – who the site report had Mertens on his shortlist for summer signings at Chelsea before he was sacked. IT is also claimed that Roberto Mancini tried to sign Mertens repeatedly for his Inter side, before his eventual removal.
Mourinho’s squad is heavily stocked with attacking players in Manchester, but Chelsea may remember their ex-manager’s interest. The Blues are fairly frugal these days, and seeing Mertens contract ticking down may incite the Blues to make a bid before the Neapolitans lock him in for a few more years.
The Sun have claimed that Antonio Conte is preparing a big clearout in the January winger, and the Belgian hardworking Belgian winger makes sense as a target for the Chelsea manager, who faced Mertens several times as Juventus boss.