Leeds United and Newcastle United are on the verge of missing out on Dries Mertens, with the 35-year-old attacker set to sign for Olympique Marseille in the coming days.
According to Foot Mercato, the 105-cap Belgian international’s representatives have all landed in France ahead of crunch talks with the Ligue 1 side, with Mertens himself believed to be keen on signing for Marseille after leaving Napoli last month at the end of his contract.
Despite his veteran age, Mertens is still regarded by many as a top attacker, with the forward bagging 13 goals last season as Napoli’s all-time goalscorer ended his time in Italy by securing another UEFA Champions League qualification spot.
A player who was loved by the late Diego Maradona due to his incredible record at Napoli, Leeds and Newcastle were both reportedly interested in signing Mertens this summer once his free-agent status was confirmed, however, it now looks like Marseille are set to win the race for the forward.
Indeed, Mertens is entering the twilight of his career at 35, though there is a strong chance that the Belgian international could still be an outstanding signing for Marseille, who next season will be competing in the Champions League under new manager Igor Tudor.
Marseille have landed a coup in signing Mertens this summer
Mertens will be forever remembered as one of football’s great outliers, and the forward ending his career by signing for Marseille is a smart move from both the player and for the French club, much to the dismay of Leeds and Newcastle.
After all, Mertens has been one of Europe’s most consistent goalscorers and overall performers in the past few years with Napoli, and in the final seasons of his incredible career, Marseille have now seemingly signing a top player who could give the French side that added X Factor ahead of what is ti be an interesting campaign for the Ligue 1 giants.
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