Dries Mertens is reportedly closer than ever to signing a new contract with Napoli, at a vastly lower salary, after President Aurelio De Laurentiis visited his home.
The striker is the all-time club top scorer and found the net again in Sunday’s 3-2 defeat to Empoli.
That loss sparked an announcement the team would go into a ‘permanent’ training retreat, then another statement a few hours later confirmed coach Luciano Spalletti had agreed to the move.
However, the day before it was meant to start, Napoli changed their minds and instead organised a series of dinner meetings so the squad, coach and club directors can talk out their issues.
The first of those is tonight, but first De Laurentiis was spotted driving up to the home of Mertens, where he remained for an hour.
The Corriere dello Sport reports they discussed a new contract for the Belgium international, who would accept a massive pay cut.
He currently earns €4.5m per season and there is an option to extend, which Napoli will not activate.
Instead, Mertens can sign a whole new deal worth €1.2m per season plus bonuses, which has an option to extend for the 2023-24 campaign.
#Mertens incontra #DeLaurentiis per il rinnovo con il #Napoli: ecco come è andata ⬇️ https://t.co/18Y09kOq34
— Corriere dello Sport (@CorSport) April 26, 2022
Wow he is leaving so much money on the table! He must be truly loving living in Napoli.
He has been payed over the years. How much does he need to be happy with his wife and son Ciro. He has become a son of the city. I applaud them trying to come to an agreement. Will need Dries and Koulibaly if they restructure coach and team.
Milan should intervene to try and sign him