Dries Mertens has acknowledged that he’s indeed leaving Napoli after refusing to do so for a few weeks, even though his contract ran out on June 30th. The Belgian attacker addressed the Partenopei fans with an emotional video (via Ansa).
Non è un addio, è un arrivederci ? pic.twitter.com/osnXUaLBQr
— Dries Mertens (@dries_mertens14) August 3, 2022
“Dear Neapolitans and fellow citizens. I knew this day would eventually come but I didn’t realize how difficult it would be for me to bid farewell to this city that adopted, loved and supported me through difficult and fantastic moments.”
Mertens will don another jersey after 9 seasons and 148 goals with Napoli.
“The records and victories will stay in the books, but the people and the city will forever remain in my heart. I’m proud that my son Ciro was born here and will always be a Neapolitan when he’ll travel all over the world. This has been my land for nine years and it’ll be in my blood. That is why I decided not to sell my home, so I can always come back here.”
“To the club, my colleagues, the coaches, the fans and fiends and every Neapolitan I can just say thanks. I was proud to be one of you. My departure didn’t go do down as I wished, but it’s not farewell, but just goodbye. We had fun together.”
According to Corriere della Sera, Mertens hoped to re-up with Napoli until the last few days. He negotiated directly with president Aurelio De Laurentiis, but the chairman was determined to lower the payroll and lean on younger players. Juventus got in touch with him, but he’s unlikely to sign with them. He headed to Belgium awaiting offers, with the most intriguing one recently coming from Galatasaray.
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