“His wife was ready to go to London” – Player said to have ‘recently refused’ West Ham

Dries Mertens’ contract with Napoli expires at the end of the current season, and as a result he’s been linked with an endless list of clubs.

That includes Premier League sides, with West Ham dragged into the picture. Turning 33 years of age in May, the Belgium international is likely to want a big contract and it would be no surprise if he’s requesting more than one season.

Given his age, and that he has no experience in English football, and also that this is far from his best season, it would be an almighty gamble.

Despite that, there’s insistence in Italy that West Ham have given it a go.

Italian TV has a pundit programme called Tiki Taka, and last night, as quoted by FCInter and others, Carlo Pellegatti said: “From what I know, Mertens goes to Inter in June.”

In response, Raffaele Auriemma said: “Carlo is not mistaken because Mertens recently refused West Ham, even his wife was ready to go to London. He wants to stay officially until June to break Hamsik’s record but I know he has spoken with Inter, not him but his entourage.”

That makes it sound like the Hammers haven’t got a chance in the race, which may not be such a bad thing. Mertens would surely be better suited to continuing in Serie A, or moving to a lesser league, at this stage of his career.