Inter Milan Open Talks With Napoli’s Dries Mertens
Reuters / Yves Herman
Inter Milan have opened talks with Napoli striker Dries Mertens, according to reports in Italy.
Dries Mertens has been in superb form since he was moved from the wings to a more central striking position, and he has already bagged 26 goals and 12 assists in the 39 appearances he has made in all competitions for the Serie A club this season.
In fact, his top drawer performances also won him the Belgian Player of the Year award in December, ahead of Premier League superstars Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne.
The forward’s performances have attracted interest from numerous top clubs from all across Europe, and with Mertens as well as his family keen to move away from Naples at the end of the season, a transfer away from the Napoli looks all but imminent.
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The Belgium international was previously rumoured to be on his way to England, after his representatives were spotted together with Manchester United officials in the lobby of the Neapolitan hotel in Naples. The two parties were reportedly involved in a 2-hour long meeting regarding the 29-year-old’s future, thereby making the Premier League giants the firm favourites for the player’s signature.
However, the Red Devils seem to have faced a blow in this transfer pursuit, as Inter Milan have now opened talks over a potential summer switch.
According to Calciomercato, Inter vice-president Javier Zanetti personally traveled all the way to Naples to negotiate with Mertens, and convince him to join the San Siro outfit in the upcoming transfer window.
It remains to be seen whether or not Napoli agree to this transfer, however, given the fact that the two clubs are direct rivals in all the domestic competitions. Moreover, with Mertens also against ‘betraying’ the Napoli fans by joining an Italian club, joining Manchester United still looks the more likely move for the talented striker.
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