Will the legend leave its nest? While we thought its extension acquired, the lease of Dries Mertens in Naples ends within a month. Enough to let rumors proliferate in the Boot. Napoli want to save on their wages.
At 35, Drieske is one of the highest paid players with an estimated 5 million per season. Suddenly, the elf will have to make big sacrifices to stay in the club where he wrote his legend. Efforts that he would be ready to make if we are to believe La Republicca. The striker is reportedly asking for a salary of €1.7m per year over two seasons. Reputed to be tough in business, De Laurentiis would especially like to offer him a year plus another as an option. In other words, everything will depend on the Neapolitan president.
According to the Italian newspaper, the different parties must meet within a few days to try to close the file. One way or the other. In case of departure, what choices are available to Mertens? A return to Belgium does not seem to be mentioned. Today, the player feels at home in Italy. And he would not want to leave his adopted land. For La Republicca, the one who has just become the father of a little Ciro could join someone who has the same name as his son. Namely Ciro Immobile.
Indeed, Lazio would be in the running if De Laurentiis made the decision to part with the idol of the Stadium Diego Armando Maradona. As a reminder, Maurizio Sarri, the current coach of the Romans, is very fond of Mertens for having managed him in particular in 2016-2017, a season which saw him score 28 goals and deliver 9 assists in Serie A. All at a new position of number nine for the one who had always evolved on the left side.
This Friday, the newspaper Il Messagero also mentioned the possibility of playing “Papa Ciro with Ciro Immobile”. While specifying that the one who holds the keys to this transfer is De Laurentiis. To remove Mertens from Naples, Claudio Lotito, the president of the Roman club, would have to offer two million euros and two years of contract.
With eleven goals and two assists in 1383 minutes, the Red Devil was decisive every 106 minutes. Which proves that he can still perform despite his 35 years. His age therefore has no influence on his statistics but rather on his playing time, like this season since the Devil especially shone when the collective needed him, while Osimhen was in the infirmary.
Lukaku, a still uncertain future
Will Romelu Lukaku return to the Boot? This is announced by the Milanese newspaper Il Giornale. According to the newspaper, Lukaku’s lawyer is expected to have a conversation next week with Inter Milan. The idea would be to know “if a sensational comeback” is possible or not. Such a scenario would only be possible on two conditions: the departure of Martinez and halving his salary. The first would bring fresh money into the club’s coffers. While the second would avoid burning this comeback too quickly. The player’s current salary is €11.2m per year which is unreasonable for the internal finances.
However, these rumors should be taken with great caution. After a generally disappointing season, even if he finished top scorer for his club with 15 goals, Big Rom’ will be keen to prove that he is better than that. His agent had also had statements in the press evoking a “discussion” to talk about the situation. Words that the top scorer of the national team had castigated. “Under no circumstances will I let anyone speak for me”he had started on Instagram. “I kept my mouth shut and focused on serving the team and finishing the season in one of the best ways possible. So if anyone is trying to say something about me and the club… not in my name.”
In short, Big Rom’ is still far from leaving Stamford Bridge. Especially since the club experienced white smoke for the recovery. We will therefore have to wait to see what the consortium led by the American businessman Todd Boehly has as a project for him. For next year, Big Rom’s goal will be clear anyway: to become one of the best number nines in the world again.