Dries Mertens confirms he wants to stay at Napoli, but doesn’t know if the club will use its option to extend his contract. ‘If not, I will thank Napoli for allowing me to play here for so many years.’
The Belgium international has scored five goals in the last four rounds, including this evening’s 3-2 defeat to Atalanta, but the Partenopei still slipped from first to third behind Milan and Inter.
Serie A | Napoli 2-3 Atalanta: Dea take another Scudetto scalp
“We mustn’t forget that we are doing well, it’s just a pity about all the injuries, we will have to keep going until the others return,” Mertens told Sky Sport Italia.
“I think the players we signed are talented and can make the difference, while there are others who remained. Some younger players got to take their chance this evening and did well.”
His contract is due to expire in June 2022, but there is an option to extend it for one more season. The concern is Mertens does not know if Napoli will decide to use that option or just let him leave.
“I love playing here, everyone knows that. If there is no deal, we’ll shake hands and I will thank Napoli for allowing me to play here for so many years. I am honoured to be here.
“One day, everything has to end. I hope it will be as far away as possible. We keep signing great players, so I have to leave them space one day, right?
“The contract extension option is in favour of Napoli. I hope they will activate it, but we’ll see what happens.”
Things you never want to see as an opposition player 😅👅 pic.twitter.com/JDWkj4cgM1
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) December 4, 2021
Dries Mertens, you have been outstanding at Napoli..we are thankful to you..
Sign him up, ADL! If Ibra can do it, and Ronaldo did it, if Quagliarella continues to do it – why would you let Mertens leave?
Oshimen and Mertens is a great combo – whereas Petagna, not a great back-up! Sign-him up for another 5!