Dries Mertens says he would be a ‘bargain’ signing for Chelsea or Manchester United
Dries Mertens says he would be a ‘bargain’ signing. (Getty Images) Napoli forward Dries Mertens beli..
Napoli forward Dries Mertens believes he would be a ‘bargain’ signing for Chelsea or Manchester United.
The 30-year-old has been in sublime form for Napoli this season with 12 goals and six assists in 18 appearances so far.
In June, Mertens confirmed that Chelsea had held talks with his agent over a potential move that summer.
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Manchester United, meanwhile, are also closely monitoring the Belgium international, according to Napoli’s former director.
Mertens is available for €28 million (£25m) due to a release clause in his contract, and the forward feels he represents excellent value for clubs who want to sign him.
‘It’s true, we negotiated that [clause] this summer,’ Mertens said in an interview with HLN.
‘Last winter I received an offer from China, I would’ve earned an incredible sum. But Napoli didn’t want me to go, and I wanted to stay. So nothing came of it.
‘But what if an offer like that were to come in again? That’s why I wanted a release clause in my new contract.
‘It’s true €28m isn’t much for a Chinese club, and it’s a decent sum for Napoli too. At least, it was until Neymar went to Paris Saint-Germain, because now people treat €28m like it’s nothing.
‘I have become a bargain – where do you find a player who scores 28 goals in Serie A and costs €28m? Nowhere, right? I negotiated well.’
