With the news of Lorenzo Insigne’s departure confirmed, Napoli are preparing to lose yet another star forward in soon-to-be free agent Dries Mertens. The Belgian ace is in his ninth season running in the south of Italy, having grown to become one of the club’s most significant players.
Nevertheless, a contract renewal offer has not come forth from Napoli’s end, with the last extension arriving in the summer of 2020.
Mertens is reportedly interested in staying in Italy. Taking that into consideration, Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio have emerged contenders for ‘Ciro’s signature, according to reports from Corriere del Mezzogiorno (via TuttoNapoli).
The versatile forward will soon turn 35. Lazio president Claudio Lotito and the club management believe a deal is fairly accessible, but the player’s stance is currently yet unknown. Mertens has given priority to Napoli and will first evaluate his position at the club before potentially heading anywhere else.
Emerson, Allan, Mertens: ecco i fedelissimi che Sarri ora vuole alla Lazio #serieA #Calciomercato https://t.co/NdBSURGKc0
— La Gazzetta dello Sport (@Gazzetta_it) April 13, 2022
Sarri himself is in the middle of renewal talks for extending his managerial contract, and much of that progress depends on the Biancocelesti promising the ex-Chelsea and Napoli manager with major signings in the upcoming transfer windows. Talks have already taken place between Lazio and Napoli to evaluate the availability of the forward.
Mertens has 145 goals in 391 appearances for the Partenopei, having joined the club from PSV Eindhoven in 2013/14.