Liverpool keen on making move for Napoli star Dries Mertens
According to the Italian publication Tuttomercatoweb (h/t Express), Liverpool could swoop in for Napoli winger Dries Mertens in the upcoming transfer window.
The versatile Belgian is a seasoned professional who has played in over 500 first-team matches across four countries. Despite being 32, he remains a potent force and will add both depth and experience to our squad.
He is a player Liverpool will be familiar with, having faced him four times over the last two seasons. He scored in both the group stage matches this season as Napoli took four points out of a possible six against us.
The Belgian international is in the final few months of his contract in Naples and could join the Reds on a free. Although the Italians are keen to keep the player, he has so far failed to commit himself beyond this summer.
According to the report, Jurgen Klopp is willing to offer the player a three year deal at Anfield. The German manager is in the market for a striker to add more depth to his vaunted front three.
Moreover, both Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah could be set to miss an important chunk of next season if the African Cup of Nations goes ahead as planned early next year.
A shrewd move in mitigating circumstances
With the coronavirus pandemic wreaking havoc to club finances, the Reds will need to tweak how they approach the transfer market.
In Mertens, we have a player proven at the highest level with at least a couple of years left in him. Obtaining him for free will also help us save cash for other transfers.
With the Belgian signed on for the next few years, it gives the Reds enough leeway to regroup and rebuild once the pandemic passes. The Reds will be well served to make a move for free agents this summer until the full extent of the financial implications is made clear.
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The Belgian was a part of the Napoli squad that won the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italia in 2014. The 32-year-old has scored 18 times in 90 games for the Belgian national team. He also won the Belgian player of the year in 2016.
