Dries Mertens says he’s “too happy” to leave Napoli for China, and would even play in goal to win the Scudetto.
The Belgian has a €28m release clause in his contract, valid only for foreign clubs, but it’s thought there’s also a special China clause.
Offers did come in from the Super League last season, but the 30-year-old opted to remain with the Partenopei.
“It happened last year, this year nobody called me,” Mertens confirmed to Il Mattino.
Dries Mertens says he’s “too happy” to leave Napoli for China, and would even play in goal to win the Scudetto.
The Belgian has a €28m release clause in his contract, valid only for foreign clubs, but it’s thought there’s also a special China clause.
Offers did come in from the Super League last season, but the 30-year-old opted to remain with the Partenopei.
“It happened last year, this year nobody called me,” Mertens confirmed to Il Mattino.
“The temptation was there, it’s normal and human, but I wanted to stay here. And I still want to stay here.
“I’m playing and having fun on the pitch and I’m very happy. I’m happier now than I’ve ever been before.
“I feel like a kid in a toy store at Napoli and I feel like I can see all of my wishes come true.
“Would I go back to the win? To win the Scudetto I’d play full-back and goalkeeper if [Coach Maurizio] Sarri asked me to, even if [Pepe] Reina wouldn’t be too happy.”
Simone Verdi turned down the Vesuviani this month, will he regret that?
“He made a personal choice, and we accept it. I’m sure he’ll have a great future, and maybe he’ll come here in the summer…”
Despite their positive start to the season, Sarri’s side were eliminated from the Champions League at the group stage.
“It was also down to bad luck,” Mertens insisted.
“With Shakhtar in the first game we came close to making it 2-2 several time, and if we hadn’t lost in Ukraine on the first day we’d have gone through. There’s a lot of regret.
"It’s nonsense to say we’r only thinking of the league now. We want to progress in the Europa League too, but [RB] Leipzig are strong.”