Transfer Centre

Napoli's Dries Mertens 'snubs Chelsea to extend Napoli stay'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 18 May 2020

Napoli forward Dries Mertens prepares to sign a two-year extension with the Italian outfit amid interest from Chelsea, according to a report.

Napoli forward Dries Mertens is reportedly ready to commit his future to the Italian side by penning a two-year contract extension in Naples.

The 33-year-old will see his current deal with the Serie A outfit expire in June, and Chelsea have been strongly linked with a move for the Belgium international.

However, according to Sky Italia, Mertens is set to snub the Blues in favour of Napoli and will put pen to paper on a new deal until the summer of 2022.

The report claims that I Partenopei manager Gennaro Gattuso was a central figure in persuading Mertens to extend his stay in Naples, and the Belgian will have the chance to work in a coaching role at the club should he decide to retire at the end of his contract.

Since arriving from Dutch outfit PSV in 2013, Mertens has gone on to register 121 goals from 309 appearances across all competitions for Napoli.

The forward amassed 12 goals and six assists this season prior to the coronavirus suspension, with top-flight football in Italy currently postponed until June 15 at the earliest.