Alan Shearer a big fan of apparent Newcastle United target Dries Mertens

Add as preferred source on Google

Newcastle United’s impending financial clout has seen them linked with a number of big-name players in recent days. 

One of the big names being linked with a potential St James’ Park switch is Belgian international Dries Mertens. 

As reported by ESPN, Newcastle have already been in touch with the Napoli forward’s agent, with the 32-year-old out of contract at the end of the season.

It is a move that would, seemingly, impress the club’s record goalscorer. 

Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer was working on the 2018 World Cup in Russia when he commented on Mertens’ inclusion in the Belgian starting XI to face Japan in the Round of 16 clash between the two nations. 

As quoted by The Independent, Shearer was very confident in Mertens’ ability to star in the fixture. 

“For the last couple of years in Italy, he has scored goals for fun. He will deliver, he is very difficult to play against.”

In the end, Mertens did not deliver. He was hauled off along with Yannick Carrasco in the 65th minute with Belgium 2-0 down and on the brink of a shock exit. Belgium eventually won the game 3-2, with the two substitutes replacing the pair, Marouane Fellaini and Nacer Chadli, scoring the crucial goals after Jan Vertonghen had started the comeback. 

However, his record of 121 goals in 311 appearances for Napoli certainly suggests that £150,000k-a-week (Telegraph) Mertens would be a big asset for Newcastle United should they snap him up this summer.