Barcelona are reportedly weighing up the prospect of signing 34-year-old Belgian attacker Dries Mertens on a Bosman move in the summer.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Dries Mertens is the subject of interest from Barcelona over a possible Bosman move in the summer transfer window. The Belgian international is yet to sign a new contract with Serie A giants Napoli, with his current deal expiring at the end of the season.
Dries Mertens has completely transformed his career since joining Napoli from PSV Eindhoven in July 2013. The 34-year-old was once a promising winger who was wasteful with his output in the final third. But after being used as a striker by Maurizio Sarri, he has gone on to become the all-time top scorer for the Serie A giants.
The Belgian international has 143 goals and 88 assists in 380 appearances for Napoli. But Victor Osimhen’s emergence has affected his stature at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium. On top of that, his uncertain contractual situation means Mertens could leave the Serie A club as a free agent in the summer, with Barcelona setting their sights on him as a result.
Barcelona might need to enter the transfer market for two strikers in the summer transfer window, as Martin Braithwaite and Luuk de Jong face uncertain futures at the club. While the Blaugrana will not sign de Jong permanently at the end of his loan deal, Braithwaite will likely embark on a new adventure amid interest from West Ham United.
While the Catalan giants are looking for ways to sign priority target Erling Haaland, the Borussia Dortmund striker alone will not be the ultimate solution in their attacking unit. Mertens is thus a viable short-term solution for Barcelona, with his impending status as a free agent further making him an attractive option.
As per the report by Fichajes, Napoli might not offer a new contract to Mertens. The report adds that PSV Eindhoven could rival Barcelona in the race to sign the 34-year-old on a Bosman move in the summer.
Barcelona will thus have to move quickly to secure the services of the Belgian attacker and will be well-served by opening negotiations over a pre-contract agreement. For now, what seems certain is that Mertens will leave Napoli as a free agent after a productive nine-year stint at the Serie A club.