Everton handed major boost as 29-year-old goal machine admired by Koeman jockeying for PL switch – reports
By Matt Farr
Napoli forward Dries Mertens may snub interest from Inter Milan in favour of a move to the Premier League, according to a report.
Belgian news outlet hln.be claim that the 29-year-old has set his sights on a move to England’s top flight, as contract talks with Napoli continue to stall.
This could be good news for Everton, who were linked with a £12million approach for the player during the January transfer window.
Everton boss Ronald Koeman is a big admirer of Mertens’ talents, and could move to step up his interest in the Belgian international in the summer if he becomes available.
Koeman was also keen to sign Mertens during his time as Southampton boss, and with the future of Romelu Lukaku up in the air, the Dutchman may consider the Serie A ace as a viable alternative.
His current deal is set to expire in 2018, but little progress has been made towards signing a new deal with Napoli.
Mertens has been in blistering form for the Italian giants this term, scoring 24 goals and supplying 11 assists from 35 appearances this season, including five goals and four assists from just eight Champions League matches.
He is primarily a left-winger, but he has proven to be equally as effective as a centre-forward following the departure of Gonzalo Higuain in the summer, and the injury to Arkadiusz Milik.
Football Insider verdict
Mertens would be a top quality addition to Everton’s ranks, and perhaps more importantly, he would cost only a fraction of the fee raised from the potential sale of Lukaku. Everton may be without their star goalscorer for next season following his reported contract snub, but fellow Belgian international Mertens could fill the void. His pace, skill and impressive goalscoring record for Napoli this season make him an exciting prospect, and he would be a worthy addition to the Everton ranks. But they are likely to face competition from several other Premier League sides for his signature, as well as in Europe, if he were to be made available in the summer.
In other Everton transfer news, Ray Parlour has delivered his verdict on the Lukaku transfer saga.
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