‘Hopefully’, ‘he’s class’: Some Arsenal fans react to reported interest in player who Diego Maradona loves

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A number of Arsenal fans have taken to Twitter to give their thoughts on the report linking the Gunners with Napoli ace Dries Mertens.

According to Italian outlet Il Mattino, Arsenal are one of three sides monitoring the Belgium veteran, along with Premier League rivals Manchester United and La Liga side Atletico Madrid.

Mertens’ Napoli contract expires at the end of the season and there has been no sign of a renewal, so it’s looking increasingly likely that he could be at a new club next term.

Considering he has scored 121 goals in 309 appearances since moving to Italy in 2013 for a reported €9.5million (around £8.5million), the 5ft 6in frontman is likely to have plenty of suitors after his services.

With football likely to suffer a huge financial blow due to the knock-on effects brought about by the global health crisis, the prospect of a high-calibre forward arriving on a free transfer will interest many clubs.

Mertens even has the Diego Maradona seal of approval, the Argentine telling the Corriere dello Sport (quoted by Football Italia) after his Napoli goal record was surpassed by the Belgian: “Mertens was born to be a striker, but he didn’t know. All his goals couldn’t be scored by someone who isn’t a striker at heart.

“I’d like to do something so that Mertens doesn’t leave. If it’s right and sacrosanct for a professional to always look for a better salary, but it’s also true that in no other corner of the world would he feel loved, respected, pampered and important like he does in Naples.

“Therefore, dear President, don’t let him get away. He’s over 30 years old, I know, but he runs, plays and scores goals with the freshness and enthusiasm of a young lad.”

Given that the Arsenal futures of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette are somewhat in doubt, the Gunners could potentially be on the lookout for new forwards.

What has the Gunners fanbase made of the Mertens report? Here is some of the social media reaction: