Roma have opened initial talks with Dries Mertens as coach Jose Mourinho targets experienced players in each position, according to reports in Italy.
The Napoli forward’s future is unclear with several of the more experienced players at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona appearing to be on the verge of leaving in a summer revolution.
And Il Corriere dello Sport report Roma have spoken to Mertens, though they are at an exploratory stage at present.
According to the report, Merten’s entourage contacted the Giallorossi and have requested a one-year contract worth €2.4 million plus add-ons as well as a €1.6m signing-on bonus and €800,000 agency fee.
It suggests the potential signing of Mertens, 35, is part of a strategy by Mourinho to have at least one player of advancing years in every role.
The Giallorossi are on the brink of sealing the free transfer of Nemanja Matic who would bring experience to the midfield.
In goal, there is 34-year-old Rui Patricio who has won major honours with Portugal, while Chris Smalling would be the elder stateman in the defence.
#Mertens, segnali alla #Roma: è un affare alla #Matic 🔥 https://t.co/en99ERzgvV
— Corriere dello Sport (@CorSport) June 11, 2022
Milan should already have been chasing Mertens
I don’t know what ADL thinks he’s going to accomplish, but I’m nervous to see what the Napoli squad will look like next season. If he doesn’t want to “lose” the fans, he’d better “keep” the players the fans love.
I wish Mertens come to Inter as a replacement of Sanchez 🖤💙