Leeds United and Newcastle United are reportedly keeping tabs on the situation of Belgian forward Dries Mertens, who is a free agent.
According to a report from Italian publication Il Matino, Leeds United and Newcastle United are interested in Belgian forward Dries Mertens, who is available on a Bosman deal after his contract with Napoli expired.
Mertens’ time with Napoli came to an end this summer after his contract with the Italian giants ran out on June 30. The 35-year-old left the club as their all-time leading goalscorer with 148 strikes from 397 appearances, along with 90 assists. Despite his age, the Belgian fared decently last season, finishing with 13 goals from 37 appearances in all competitions.
Mertens’ availability for free has alerted several clubs with the forward fielding offers from sides in Italy. However, he is waiting for Napoli to come back with an offer for the striker. At the same time, interest in the 35-year-old from foreign clubs is also growing. Marseille, who will be playing Champions League football next term, are interested.
Leeds United and Newcastle United have now joined the race to sign Mertens as they look to beef up their attacking options for the upcoming campaign.
Leeds United have been proactive in the summer window, having made as many as six players already in the form of Brenden Aaronson, Rasmus Kristensen, Marc Roca, Tyler Adams, Luis Sinisterra and Darko Gyabi. However, business at Elland Road is far from done, with Jesse Marsch looking for a striker to support and compliment Patrick Bamford this summer.
Mertens, to that end, is an interesting option to consider. While his age would naturally be a concern, he still showed a good level in his performance with Napoli last season.
However, Leeds will likely face competition from Newcastle United, who are also in the market for attacking additions. The Magpies have also completed a fair few signings already, with Matt Targett, Nick Pope and Sven Botman arriving to bolster Eddie Howe’s first-team roster. They are now on the lookout for a new winger and a striker to add more firepower to their attacking ranks.
Newcastle are in the race to sign Armando Broja from Chelsea. But with competition for his signing intense, they are keeping their options open, with Mertens emerging as a left-field choice. A forward with a proven pedigree at the club and international level, Mertens can be a risk-free signing given his free-agent status. But whether he can adapt to the rigours of the Premier League remains a big question.
