According to latest reports, Manchester United are targeting Serie A forward, Dries Mertens, next summer after their numerous other targets are turning out very unlikely to join them. Italian news outlets have claimed that the Belgian international has recently held a two-hour meeting with representatives from Old Trafford.
It was revealed that the Napoli forward was seen with the officials earlier this week. And though it isn’t clear yet which club they represented, United or their neighbours Manchester City, it is pretty much sure that a deal was being discussed.
United are having an underwhelming season this year with the Red Devils still in the sixth position of the league table, despite spending around £150 million in summer signings. Barring Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s individual brilliance up front, which has saved the team on many occasions, Mourinho’s attacks have been mostly blunt. And the Portuguese manager is desperate for a striker among many other positions that need strengthening before next season.
Mertens is definitely not among United’s top few striking targets as they have also pursued La Liga forward Antoine Griezmann, AS Monaco’s Mbappe and most recently Tottenham’s Harry Kane, before turning their attention to the 29-year-old. However, that indicates Mertens as more of a backup target.
The Belgian international has been on fire for Napoli this season, bagging a staggering 23 goals and 11 assists in all competitions so far and even overtaking Chelsea star Eden Hazard for the Belgian Player of the Year vote back in December. Although he scored in both the legs against Real Madrid in the Champions league round of 16, it wasn’t enough to help his team progress to the next round.
However, landing him won’t be easy either for Manchester United as other big Premier League clubs like Chelsea, Liverpool, City and Arsenal are also keeping tabs on his progress. And if United fail to qualify for the Champions League next season, then any possibility of a move will be further diminished.
A youth product of Belgian giants Anderlecht, Mertens has played for Gent, SC Eendracht Aalst, SC Eendracht Aalst, FC Utrecht and PSV Eindhoven before joining Napoli in 2013. The Italian side is unwilling to let go of their best striker under any condition and has even reportedly offered to double his wages. However, he is yet to extend his contract that ends in 2018.
Mertens’ representatives have, however, denied all reports that they were meeting the foreign officials for a move, instead claiming that it was a personal call.
