Juventus are now reportedly interested in signing former Napoli superstar Dries Mertens, with Leeds United and Newcastle United also eyeing a move for the Belgian forward.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Massimiliano Allegri’s side are setting their sights on the 35-year-old attacker as a potential alternative to Alvaro Morata, who Juventus are struggling to pry away from Atletico Madrid after failing to sign the Spanish striker on a permanent deal earlier in the window.
Juventus are far from alone in their interest in Mertens, though, with reports recently suggesting that Leeds and Newcastle are also chasing the 105-cap Belgian international, who left Napoli this summer as the club’s all-time goalscorer, ahead of the great Diego Maradona and Serie A legend Marek Hamsik.
Despite being 35, Mertens has never let his age shown on the pitch, and it’s because of this that so many top clubs are keen to sign the versatile attacker, with Juventus fancying themselves as favourites to sign the veteran given their ability to match the attacker’s wages.
Indeed, although the Premier League would be a great challenge for Mertens at this stage of his career and with both Leeds and Newcastle looking to add to their attacking options, Juventus could run away with the race to sign the former PSV Eindhoven star if they get into gear in the coming weeks.
With the leagues around Europe kicking off very soon, signing a player like Mertens will be an incredible boost to morale, and for Juventus, this is exactly what they need amid their midfield injury crisis and their failed attempt to sign Morata on a permanent deal from Atletico.
Juventus should aim to beat Leeds and Newcastle to Mertens signing
Juventus have had an odd summer in terms of signings, yet in regards to Mertens, the Italian giants must do all they can to beat the likes of Leeds and Newcastle to the Belgian’s signature, who could be an incredible addition even if it’s just for a season.
After all, Mertens has been one of Serie A’s greatest players in the past decade, and whilst the forward is in the twilight of his career, the Belgian could still offer a lot to Juventus ahead of what is to be a huge season for the Bianconeri as they look to bring the Scudetto back to Turin.
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