Leeds and Newcastle are among the clubs eyeing a surprise move for Napoli legend Dries Mertens, a player that received praise from Diego Maradona back in 2019. Mertens is set to become a free agent this month.
The 35-year-old is out of contract at the end of the month. He has spent nine years at Napoli, clocking up a huge 397 appearances and becoming Napoli’s all-time leading goalscorer with 148 – above Maradona.
Before his death, and still to this day, Maradona is a Napoli legend. Regarded as one of the best players to ever grace the Earth, Maradona netted his 115 Napoli goals in just 259 games. He was a big fan of Mertens.
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Belgian outlet Voetbal Flitsen claim Leeds, Newcastle and Crystal Palace are all considering a shock move to land the veteran free agent. A player Maradona told Napoli to keep amid rumours back in 2019.
I’d like to do something so that Mertens doesn’t leave,” Maradona said, as per Inside Sport. “Dear President [Aurelio De Laurentiis], don’t let him go. He’s over 30, but he runs, scores goals with the freshness and enthusiasm of a young lad.”
Leeds and Newcastle eyeing Mertens: Maradona praise
It would be a spectacular signing. Not only because Mertens is a top, top player. One with 104 Belgium caps and an incredible scoring rate in both The Netherlands and Italy. But because he can be bought for nothing.
Yes, he is 35, but as Maradona says as recently as 2019, he still has a freshness about him. So much so, that he still managed to score 13 goals this season – 11 of which came in Italy’s top tier.
If Leeds, Newcastle or Palace get him, it is a wonderful signing. Would Mertens move to the Premier League? Perhaps, if the price is right and he is okay with a contract that does not exceed two years.
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