Dries Mertens is only two days away from ending a nine-year association with Napoli after his contract expires, throwing his future into doubt.
The 35-year-old Belgian forward joined the Partenopei in the summer of 2013 from PSV in a deal worth around €9.48m. He’s gone on to become the club’s all-time top scorer, overtaking club legends like Diego Maradona and Marek Hamsik, netting 148 goals. Despite his desire to stay with the club, however, he’s on the verge of an extremely anonymous departure.
As highlighted by Corriere dello Sport, Mertens’ contract with Napoli will expire on June 30 and it’s unclear if he’ll leave on a free transfer or not.
The club recently rejected a one-year renewal offer from the Belgian’s agents but a report from Il Roma journalist Giovanni Scotto today suggested that the 35-year-old received an offer worth up to €2.5m net per season including add-ons, so a departure is not guaranteed.
The offer, reportedly sent via email, does not include any commissions or signing bonuses. Mertens would prefer a deal that starts from €2.5m net per season, with a €1m signing bonus.
He has been linked with moves to Lazio and Royal Antwerp.
L'ultima offerta del #Napoli a Dries #Mertens è di 1.5 più bonus legati a gol e presenze per un totale di circa 2.5. Nessun premio alla firma o altri benefit. Offerta recapitata via mail. Il calciatore ha invece chiesto 2.5 di ingaggio più bonus alla firma di 1 milione. Distanza
— Giovanni Scotto (@scottotweet) June 28, 2022
Despite his age, Milan would do well to sign him. He’s the same age as but more productive and dynamic than Giroud with a long track record of scoring in Serie A.
2 year contract
Served his club well.
Addio Ciro Mertens.
welcome to Lazio.
A great shame. ADL this summer is betraying both the team and the fans. I really wish he would sell.
Wish they’d invest in keeping veterans too. Mertens is worth it for more than his skills. His personality experience and heart makes a team-wide difference-it did this year.
Jose Ciro
I fully agree with you. There is price, and then there is value. ADL is all about price.