Napoli reject €30 million bid from Premier League club for Dries Mertens

Mertens bid

Bad news for clubs chasing Dries Mertens – it doesn’t look like he’s going anywhere this summer.

The Belgian attacker has had a wonderful season at Napoli, hitting 27 goals in all competitions for the Italian giants. That’s well over double last season’s amount. Napoli weren’t about to lose their star in consecutive summers.

Having forced his move to Juventus through, Gonzalo Higuain left Napoli for an Italian transfer record last August.

Radio CRC report that Mertens is close to a new five-year deal so it was easy for Napoli to turn down a €30m offer from West Ham. The Hammers have been trying to sign a marquee striker for several windows now.

They had a bid for Alexandre Lacazette rejected in January by Lyon.

Foreign club clause

Rumour has it that Mertens’ new contract will have a clause in it that allows him to move abroad for €25m.

If that turns out to be true then we’re almost certain to see him leave the club.

Both Manchester giants are reportedly interested in the Serie A hitman.