SHARE

Leeds United and Newcastle United are among clubs outside Italy keeping tabs on Dries Mertens.

The forward is now without a club after his contract with Napoli expired on June 30th. He has not agreed a new deal with the Serie A side so far, which has allowed the likes of the Whites and the Tyneside club emerge as new contenders.

According to Il Mattino, the 35-year-old, who is on vacation, is waiting for signs from the Naples club for a renewal offer.

Napoli’s international players are scheduled to return to training on Monday, and ‘time is running out’ for the Belgium international to continue his association with Luciano Spalletti’s side.

If Mertens is to stay in Italy, it will only be through signing a new deal with Napoli. He is not considering offers from other Serie A clubs.

At the same time, the options to move outside Italy are increasing, and this is when both Leeds and Newcastle are tagged.

From England, Leeds and Newcastle ‘begin to investigate’ the attacker’s situation. Marseille are also interested in him and a move there could see him play in the Champions League next season.

Mertens has throughly enjoyed his lifestyle at Napoli, throwing himself into the area and regularly sharing images of him and his family making the most of the views at his property.

Given that, if he’s to leave, a new life in the South of France is perhaps likelier than England.