Dries Mertens warned Napoli “have a strong squad, but if we want to win something, we need to buy in order to raise the level. I’d like to stay for many more years.”
The Belgian spoke at a Q&A from their training retreat in Dimaro, alongside Lorenzo Insigne and Kostas Manolas.
He was asked about the on-going transfer saga around Real Madrid creative midfielder James Rodriguez.
Dries Mertens warned Napoli “have a strong squad, but if we want to win something, we need to buy in order to raise the level. I’d like to stay for many more years.”
The Belgian spoke at a Q&A from their training retreat in Dimaro, alongside Lorenzo Insigne and Kostas Manolas.
He was asked about the on-going transfer saga around Real Madrid creative midfielder James Rodriguez.
“I just want to say that I see other teams are buying a lot, we’ve signed Kostas. All those we buy must be at the top level and therefore someone like James would be welcome to aim even higher. He could make the difference.
“I think we need to buy great players to raise the level of the team. We already have a strong squad, but if we want to win something, we need to buy in order to raise the level. That is clear.”
Every summer there are reports Mertens will go to China, yet he remains a firm fan favourite and could even break Marek Hamsik’s scoring record.
“I’d like to play many more years here, but unfortunately I am already 32. Yes, I would like to stay here for a long time. Would I like to end my career at Napoli? Good question, you’d have to ask (director of sport Cristiano) Giuntoli and (President Aurelio) De Laurentiis.
“Playing for Napoli is already a dream for me, but setting the record would be even more wonderful. This is why I would like to sign a new contract to ensure I remain at Napoli.
“I’ve felt at home here from the first moment and I’ve been here for seven years, so it just gets stronger every day.”