Claims on Dries Mertens to Chelsea have grown stronger over the past week or so.
Frank Lampard’s side were repeatedly linked with the Belgian during the January window, when they were looking for an attacker to allow Olivier Giroud to leave the club.
That didn’t happen, and then Mertens was pictured having dinner with Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis, in what was presented as an informal chat about a new contract.
Soon there were claims of an agreement, but nothing was signed, and now Chelsea are being talked up again as a potential destination.
RAI journalist Paolo Paganini is quoted by AreaNapoli as saying: “Mertens leaving? If he went away, Napoli could place a double shot (sign two players, instead of the one attacker they’re expected to). Inter and Chelsea have relaunched on the Belgian, offering him a higher salary.”
Indeed, a salary is the only thing Chelsea will have to offer apart from agent fees. Mertens’ contract expires at the end of June, and he’s seemingly making the most of his free agent status.
Chelsea were last week presented several times as a tempting destination for the Napoli player. The only doubt would be he’s a very different player to Giroud, so Frank Lampard would have to be keen on a change if this is true.
