According to The Sun, Manchester United are prepared to pay the release clause of Napoli attacker Dries Mertens.
Mertens, 30, established himself as one of Europe’s most lethal strikers last season. The Belgium international, moved into a centre-forward role by Partenopei boss Maurizio Sarri at the beginning of the 2016-17 season, racked up an impressive 28 goals and 9 assists during that campaign, as per WhoScored.
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Though he has not been as prolific to this point of the current Serie A season, Mertens has nevertheless managed to score 20 goals and create 9 assists across all competitions.
That sort of form is bound to attract internet from European’s biggest football clubs.
Mertens’ contract in Naples is set to expire in 2020 and members of the club’s board are understood to be worried by the prospect of a foreign club activating his €28 million release clause – only valid for clubs outside of Italy.
The report, as mentioned above, suggests United are ready to pay Mertens’ clause in full this summer.
The rumours come on the back of United boss Jose Mourinho publicly bollocking attacking duo Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford for failing to perform when handed the opportunity to lead United’s front-line against Brighton last night.
United lost 1-0.
