Dries Mertens Next Club Odds - 02/06/20

After almost seven years, 309 appearances and 121 goals for Napoli, could Dries Mertens be on his way out of the club?

His current contract could see him leave the Stadio San Paulo on a free in June, and whilst there has been speculation about an extension, no confirmation has been made with Mertens and the Italian outfit.

Transfer rumours continue to circulate, with the Belgian fancied by a number of clubs as his current side struggle in the league. The Blues are currently two places off a Champions League spot and nine points off fourth-placed Atalanta. A failure to qualify for Europe’s grandest stage, as well as a desire to win more trophies, could see the former PSV Eindhoven man on his way out and looking for a new challenge.

We’ve looked at the latest odds provided by Paddy Power to see what the next destination cold be for the 33-year-old.

Inter Milan are seemingly in the lead to land Mertens and are the clear favourites to sign him in the next window.

Antonio Conte’s side are reportedly after some more firepower up front and hope the veteran attacker can improve the team so that they can push on in their challenge for the Serie A title. Despite a promising start to the season in which they looked like serious contenders to Juventus’ throne, Inter are currently in third place and nine points off the Turin titans - albeit with a game in hand over the Old Lady and second-placed Lazio. The acquisition of a player like Mertens, who is Napoli’s joint all-time top scorer (tied with Marek Hamsik) and has 90 and 51 assists in 226 appearances in Italy’s top tier, could help fire the Nerazzurri to a first Serie A title in over a decade.

The fate of star striker Lautaro Martínez could see the Milan side look to Mertens as a replacement. The Argentinian talisman has had a terrific season which has seen him gain interest from the elite sides in Europe. Many have suggested Martinez could be set to be the replacement for the ageing Luis Suarez at Barcelona or even Karim Benzema at Real Madrid. If this is the case, the signing of Mertens could add reinforcements up top for Inter – allowing the Belgian to form a dangerous partnership up front with his compatriot, national teammate, and friend Romelu Lukaku.

If the Belgian attacker is to have a spell in the Premier League, Chelsea are the favourites to sign the Napoli marksman.

Blues boss Frank Lampard is a big fan of the forward and could look to make a move for him to bolster his side’s attacking options. Mertens can play naturally either on the wing or through the middle, which the Chelsea hierarchy may have in mind especially when looking at their options up front.

Both experienced wingers Pedro and Willian are running out of contract and are likely seek pastures new, which could see the Napoli man come in as a replacement on the wings. The 33-year-old’s potential arrival could also see him battle Tammy Abraham for a place as the starting striker, with reports of fellow Blues frontman Olivier Giroud on the way out of Stamford Bridge.

Former Napoli man Jorginho joined the Chelsea in 2018 after making the move from Naples. He could play a part in convincing his former teammate to join him in London. Mertens is the decent price of 9/2 to join Lampard’s side.

If France is the next destination for the Napoli number 14, Monaco are the favourites to secure his services.

Monaco are far from the side that impressed in Europe and won the French Ligue 1 back in 2017, achieving a dire ninth placed finished some way off a European spot this season. A big name like Mertens could be what Robert Moreno’s need side to get back into a top four spot and compete on the biggest stage. It would be no surprise that The Monégasques would look to bring in some attacking firepower such as the Napoli man on a free when his contract expires.

Wissam Ben Yedder’s future could also be a factor in Monaco’s pursuit of Mertens. French striker Ben Yedder has had another impressive season in France’s top tier and has been linked with numerous big clubs around the world such as Manchester United. Mertens could be brought in as a replacement for the Monaco man.

The French club are a decent 17/2 to sign 5ft 7 attacker.

It's been nearly seven years since Dries Mertens made the switch from PSV to Napoli for the bargain fee in the region of £8.53m.

Mertens spent two years at the Dutch outfit, making 88 appearances in which he provided an impressive 45 goals and 43 assists from the left-wing. The electric winger is the fairly high price of 13/1 to return to his former club he left following the 2012-13 season. The Belgian won the Dutch cup along with the Dutch Supercup during his stint at the Phillips Stadium, and the Eindhoven side could do with getting back to winning trophies with the help of their former player.

PSV haven’t won a trophy since they lifted the league title back in 2018, with the giants of Dutch football Ajax taking control over the past few seasons. PSV have had a disappointing campaign in the Eredivisie in which they sit fourth and seven points off the league leaders. The purchase of Mertens would go a long way to getting them back near the top and fighting for the top prize in the Netherlands’ top tier.

13/1 could be a good price for Mertens to come ack and do a job for PSV, playing for the fans of his former club one last time.

Could Mertens become one of the first signings and be a poster boy for the Saudi Arabia Public Investments fund takeover at Newcastle United?

Reports suggest that the Magpies are one of the many clubs interested in making a move for the Napoli man. Whilst there has been speculation Mertens does not want to leave Italy, a big-money deal from Newcastle could tempt him to the North East of England, should their £300m club takeover be completed.

The Saudi-backed consortium are on the verge of completing their deal with current owner Mike Ashley, with the transfer being finalised once the green light has been given by the relevant authorities such as the Premier League, and the funds are transferred.

If the takeover is completed, the club will need some quality added to their ranks to be able to compete higher in the league, following their past seasons of mid-table finishes and relegation battles. The acquisition of some big names and big talents could start with Mertens on a free, with the mega-wealthy finances ready to tempt the Belgian ace with a lucrative offer.

There are many different clubs around Europe looking a potential move for Mertens.

Juventus are 14/1 to keep the attacker in Italy, the same price as Manchester United are to lure him to Old Trafford. Odds of 20/1 could see go to North London for either Arsenal or Tottenham, to Spain to join Atletico Madrid, or to France to join PSG.

By Jordan Edmonds