According to new reports arriving from Italy, alleged target Dries Mertens is ‘not interested’ in a move to Newcastle United.
This comes from Naples based paper Corriere del Mezzogiorno, who claim the Belgian star will reject the likes of Newcastle, Monaco and AC Milan, because he has his sights set on a club that will allow him to ‘immediately compete at a high level’.
Sky Italy’s Gianluca Di Marzio recently claimed that the Saudi-backed buyers have shown ‘serious interest’ in Mertens, with them appearing to put the feelers out to a few star players in preparation for a takeover, however it seems their efforts may be all in vain based on the latest claims coming out of Italy today.
Mertens – who often played out wide prior his move to Italy – has taken his game to another level with Napoli, being involved in a stunning 141 goals in 226 Serie A appearances (90 goals and 51 assists).
The same piece states that Inter Milan, Chelsea and PSG are more ‘concrete possibilities’ for the 32-year-old, stating he has his heart set on Champions League football and competing for titles now he’s reached the twilight years of his career.
Time will tell and money talks, however it may well take several shows of ambition and signs of success before the majority of top players would even consider a move to Tyneside – no matter of many millions the Saudis are prepared to hand them.
