Napoli forward Dries Mertens turned down a move to Chelsea in January, but has now changed his mind and is in ‘daily contact’ with Frank Lampard about a move.
The Belgian striker was consistently linked with Chelsea throughout the winter window as they sought out a replacement for Olivier Giroud, who was on the verge of joining Inter Milan.
However, the Italian side never finalised the move, and thus, with Giroud staying, Chelsea ended their interest in Mertens.
He ultimately stayed where he was too but, his future at Napoli remains in doubt as his contract is expiring this summer and he is yet to sign a new deal.
All indications are that he will leave the club on a free transfer and Chelsea have once again been heavily linked with his signature.
They are in need of offensive reinforcements despite tying Giroud down to a one-year extension and, according to FIFA agent Vincenzo Morabito, Lampard is in constant contact with Mertens over a move.
“I spoke personally with his agent, it was before Christmas, and there was a chance to take him to England, to Chelsea, where he would earn money,” he told Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli, relayed by Tutto Napoli/Calcio Napoli.
“He said a categorical ‘no’ because the player wanted to stay in Naples.
“Something then must have happened; a mechanism was set in motion that led the agent to contact several clubs; evidently Mertens gave him the signal that he wanted to leave.
“The Blues are very interested in Mertens, Lampard calls him almost daily. I see Mertens at Chelsea.”
