Mertens Makes Lazio His Priority Should Napoli Talks Collapse

Napoli forward and Lazio linked Dries Mertens waves at the end the Italian Serie A football match Napoli vs Sassuolo at Diego Armando Maradona stadium in Naples, on April 30, 2022. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP) (Photo by ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images)

Dries Mertens is edging closer to a move to Lazio as his contract renewal talks with Napoli continue to stall.

The 35-year-old Belgian forward is currently set to leave the Partenopei on a free transfer at the end of this month after nine years of service, and talks are ongoing regarding a renewal.

Things have stalled, however, due to both the wages of the offer and the length of the deal. Progress is non-existent at this stage and the clock is now ticking if Napoli want to tie down Mertens to a new deal.

As reported by Il Tempo (via LazioNews24), Mertens has been convinced of the move to Lazio by coach Maurizio Sarri and so he’s added the club to the top of his preference list should the talks with Napoli definitively collapse.

Mertens is excited by the prospect of a move to Lazio and would enjoy working with Sarri again, but for now his priority is still renewing his deal with Napoli.

The 35-year-old Belgian forward scored 11 goals and provided two assists in 30 Serie A appearances this season.

Tags Biancocelesti Dries Mertens Italy Lazio Maurizio Sarri Mertens Napoli Partenopei Rome Sarri Serie A