Chelsea have ‘swooped down hard’ on striker – Negotiations already underway to reach ‘final agreement’

Chelsea are interested in Napoli forward Dries Mertens and have opened negotiations with the Italian side about a move.

The Blues are thought to be keen on adding to their forward line this month, with Tammy Abraham their only player to score double figures this season.

They are yet to find a solution to the issue, but according to Sky Sports Italia, Mertens could be the man they turn to.

He reports that Frank Lampard’s side have ‘swooped down hard’ on the Belgian and are keen to take him to Stamford Bridge before Friday’s transfer deadline.

Contacts are already underway between Chelsea and Napoli, who had a meeting in the last few hours to try and reach a ‘final agreement’.

Sky say Chelsea are willing to pay €6-7m in compensation to sign Mertens, although it’s not mentioned whether this is a price Napoli would find acceptable.

However, the fact that Mertens is out of contract this summer is sure to play a significant part in the negotiations.

Should Chelsea manage to get a deal done, Sky says this would free up Olivier Giroud to leave the club, with Tottenham now interested in signing the Frenchman and already offering him a two-year deal.