Report: Leeds and Newcastle looking into signing attacking ‘master’ with more than 250 career goals

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Both Leeds United and Newcastle are looking into the possibility of signing Belgian legend, Dries Mertens, who could be on his way out of Naples.

Mertens is something of a cult hero with Napoli, having been with the club for many a year and making just shy of 400 appearances for them in that time. Mertens has over 250 career goals to his name, including 21 at international level and 148 with Napoli, per Transfermarkt.

And according to Il Mattino, both Leeds and Newcastle are ‘probing’ the situation surrounding the Belgian as they look to see if a deal can be done. It’s claimed Marseille could be closest to a deal, but both Leeds and the Magpies are still in the race for the striker.

Labelled as ‘master of his position‘ by Roberto Martinez, Mertens is now 35 but seems to have plenty of life left in him just yet. Indeed, he scored 13 Serie A goals last season to prove he still has what it takes, and his hard-working nature and speed up top will be of interest for Leeds coach Jesse Marsch.

Mertens has never played in England, and could well see the projects at Elland Road and St James as something to look into.

TBR’s View: Mertens Probably Just Too Old For Leeds And Newcastle

If either of these clubs were struggling to make new signings, then maybe there would be more of a case to see them sign Mertens. But neither are having such trouble, so going for a 35-year-old would seem a bit OTT.

Of course, experience can always help and as they say, there is life in the old dog yet. But any deal for Mertens will surely be short termism, not to mention big wages.

Mertens has been a class act in his career. But he’s probably left it a tad late for Leeds or Newcastle to see his best.