The transfer axis between Juventus and Napoli has always been active. From Omar Sivori and Dino Zoff to Jose Altafini and Gonzalo Higuain, there has been plenty movement between the two heavyweights. There is great speculation that another name will be added to the list of historic transfers.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport (via Goal.com), Napoli icon Dries Mertens, who was earlier released by the club after both parties failed to reach a renewal agreement, has the approval of Bianconeri coach Massimiliano Allegri as a reinforcement in attack.
Juventus, Gazzetta: tra le ipotesi per l'attacco spunta anche Dries Mertens https://t.co/gp0HAzSFUg
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The highly-rated free agent is a more accessible target than Alvaro Morata, pushing Juventus to aim for him rather than other alternatives that also include Luis Muriel, Anthony Martial and Filip Kostic.
Juventus have reportedly made available a €5M net per season salary for the Belgian forward. It is an opportunity that will also allow him to star in the Champions League. With only a few weeks left until the start of the new campaign, the Bianconeri will have to move fast.
However, the question of allegiances will come into the foreground, as he will look to avoid being called “core ‘ngrato” – something the Napoli faithful used to refer Italian-Brazil great Altafini back in the early 70’s for jumping aboard the Bianconeri ship.
Mertens has 148 goals in 397 appearances for the Partenopei – the club’s all-time top scorer in all competitions, making the move fairly unlikely. Lazio and Royal Antwerp are also contenders for his signature.
Our Take on ‘Ciro’ to Juve
It is incredibly hard to imagine Mertens in the white and black of Juventus despite the disappointing way in which his spell in Campania ended. As a Partenopei legend, the Belgian would rather maintain his status than throw it away for a move to the Bianconeri, just like how Kalidou Koulibaly chose to do. Mertens’ rejection will certainly be disappointing for Juventus, who will be missing out on a world-class forward.