Lazio and Roma are preparing to battle it out for Dries Mertens, who is set to leave Napoli on a free transfer this month.
The 35-year-old Belgian forward is on the cusp of leaving the Partenopei once his contract expires at the end of this month, ending a nine-year association with the club. Napoli suggest that Mertens has asked for a two-year contract worth €4 million net per season, whilst Mertens’ entourage claims that they only asked for a a salary of €2.5 million.
As reported by Il Messaggero (via LazioNews24), Roma have started to consider making a move for Mertens once his contract ends with Napoli, but they’ll have to face off against a Lazio side keen to reunite the Belgian with Maurizio Sarri.
The player would be happy to join the Biancocelesti and would easily fit in well in the Roman club, but his salary is slightly concerning, especially when remembering that he’s 35. Whilst Claudio Lotito does want to please Sarri this summer, he also wants to keep the wage bill under control.
