Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis confirmed the new deal with Dries Mertens and revealed he wants to keep the Belgium international at the San Paolo beyond his playing career.
The 33-year-old had been linked with a move to Inter in recent months but seems set to stay at the San Paolo, only formalities away from signing a new deal.
Mertens became the club’s all-time leading goalscorer after having sent the Partenopei to the Coppa Italia Final on Saturday and De Laurentiis said it was ‘easy’ to renew his deal.
Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis confirmed the new deal with Dries Mertens and revealed he wants to keep the Belgium international at the San Paolo beyond his playing career.
The 33-year-old had been linked with a move to Inter in recent months but seems set to stay at the San Paolo, only formalities away from signing a new deal.
Mertens became the club’s all-time leading goalscorer after having sent the Partenopei to the Coppa Italia Final on Saturday and De Laurentiis said it was ‘easy’ to renew his deal.
“He’s a rascal,” the patron told Corriere dello Sport. “We met for breakfast six months ago. I met a special man, a badass.
“We usually don’t renew the contract of a 33-year-old, with Mertez it was easy. When he has stopped, I would like to find a role for him to continue the collaboration.”
Jose Callejon has been another veteran in a similar situation and the President underlined that it’s more complicated with the Spanish winger, who seems likely to move back home.
“In September, or maybe it was October, we talked, and I clarified our intentions. I must have changed up the contract with €100,000 or maybe €200,000. His manager never let us know anything. He knows the conditions.”