Dries Mertens’ wife has revealed that she stopped the Napoli forward from moving to China. “It could ruin things.”
Mertens’ contract with Napoli has only a year left to run and the Belgian had failed to rule out a transfer to China, having turned 32 last month.
However, Katrin Kerkhofs told Humo: “Towards the end of a football career, those kinds of clubs start doing the rounds. I understand that it’s tempting.
Dries Mertens’ wife has revealed that she stopped the Napoli forward from moving to China. “It could ruin things.”
Mertens’ contract with Napoli has only a year left to run and the Belgian had failed to rule out a transfer to China, having turned 32 last month.
However, Katrin Kerkhofs told Humo: “Towards the end of a football career, those kinds of clubs start doing the rounds. I understand that it’s tempting.
“Dries says: ‘We have to sacrifice one or two years, but after that our grandchildren will be financially secure.’
“To which I reply: ‘And then? Those grandchildren won’t have to work?’ One or two years isn’t nothing either.
“We’re people who have to enjoy our social lives, the sun, terraces… I can’t imagine that we’d be happy in China.
“On top of that, it’d be a long year. It could ruin things. You can never say never, and I have nothing against the people who choose to go on those adventures, but for now I’m winning our discussions.
“In addition: take me to Saudi Arabia – a country I already have reservations about with due to ethical objections – and I’ll fly straight into prison!
“I’d unsuspectingly go out with bare shoulders and a cocktail: that’s really me! But before my comments are picked up the foreign Press: this isn’t an invitation for clubs to offer more money, is it?
“Stay away with your generous amounts!”