The Italian press today brings some bad news for Chelsea, Inter Milan and all other clubs who are interested in the signing of Dries Mertens from Napoli.
Newspapers Tuttosport and Corriere Del Mezzogiorno both report that the winger is close to an agreement to extend his contract with his club.
According to Tuttosport, he’s just been offered a two-year contract, and is set to make €5m per season at the Serie A side.
They say Chelsea and Inter still try to scupper a deal at the final stretch, and aren’t giving up, but Mertens is close to accepting the renewal.
With a very similar report, Corriere Del Mezzogiorno says Mertens is ‘flattered’ by the interest from Chelsea and Inter Milan. And even though these clubs could offer him more, it’s his passion for Napoli that should keep him at the club.
Since Mertens would become a free agent next month, it wouldn’t take a lot for this story to have a different ending. But it looks like money isn’t the issue here, since his wish to stay at Napoli is really weighing on his decision.
