Chelsea are currently leading the race to sign Napoli striker Dries Mertens according to a report in today’s print edition of Corriere dello Sport.
The 32-year-old Belgian national team attacker’s current deal with Napoli is due to expire at the end of this season and a number of clubs have therefore sparked an interest in signing him on a free transfer in the Summer.
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has been in direct contact with Mertens and has shared his and Chelsea’s plans, something which the report claims has excited the former PSV Eindhoven player.
The report from the Rome based newspaper goes on to explain that Chelsea have a clear advantage over Inter, Roma, AS Monaco and Newcastle United, all of whom have also shown an interest in signing him.
This season Mertens has made 29 appearances across all competitions to date in which he has scored 12 goals and has provided a total of six assists for his teammates.
