Manchester United could make a move for Napoli attacker Dries Mertens, who is being pursued by several top clubs. The Belgian international, who has been with the Italian club since 2013, is most likely set to leave the club when the summer transfer window opens.
As per Daily Express, the Red Devils, along with Premier League teams Chelsea and Arsenal, are interested in the experienced forward. The report says that the Italian club have been trying to get Mertens to sign a new contract. As per the report, his management team are interested in talking to various clubs after a deal with Napoli could not be struck.
Mertens’ deal with the club expires in the summer and he will be able to join any club on a free transfer. The Belgian has been an important player for the club, having played over 300 times for the club, scoring 121 goals and 73 assists.
The player they need?
Mertens has been a great player for Napoli, having formed a great partnership with Lorenzo Insigne in attack. The Belgian’s quick-thinking, dribbling and link-up play, as well as good goalscoring record, has made him a potent striker.
The Napoli forward has shown his capability of playing as a striker, a winger, as well as a second striker, and his versatility has made him a wanted player for many European clubs. Manchester United could use an experienced forward like Mertens in their squad, as they currently lack depth in the attacking end of the pitch. Marcus Rashford’s injury in the latter part of the 2019-20 season affected them as the Englishman had scored and assisted plenty, while Anthony Martial’s inconsistency raised a lot of questions about United’s squad depth.
The only other option for manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer upfront is teenager Mason Greenwood – who has been in the goals but is still very young and inexperienced. Mertens could be a useful player in attack, playing as a striker or winger, and add much-needed depth to the United squad. His quick and nimble movement in attack will mesh in well with the others in attack, and he looks like a player that will fit in well in the current squad.
