Report: Dries Mertens rejects contract offer from Roma amid reported Newcastle interest

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Italian outlet Correire Dello Sport has claimed Napoli attacker Dries Mertens has rejected the chance to join AS Roma on a three-year deal, amid reports Newcastle have made contact with the Belgian star.

Mertens, who turns 33 in May, is out of contract in the summer but Napoli remain keen to keep him. 90Min claimed earlier this week that Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has tabled a two-year, £150,000-a-week deal to see him stay in light blue.

The former PSV Eindhoven star’s future is certainly up for debate. Chelsea were strongly linked in January, while ESPN have claimed that Newcastle have made contact with the agent of the striker – who has scored 12 goals in 29 Napoli outings.

Roma are likely to remain interested in Mertens until a decision has been made on his future, but the latest reports state that he has rejected an offer from Roma with the knowledge that a better contract offer is on the table from Napoli.

TBR’s view – Do Newcastle stand a chance of signing Mertens?

The Belgian attacker has been in stunning form for Napoli over the years and is certainly considered as one of Serie A’s best attackers. So, could a move to Newcastle really appeal to Mertens?

If The Toon are to make these kind of big-name signings, a new manager is needed at Newcastle in order to attract the likes of Mertens, Edinson Cavani and Willian. However, the longer Mertens’ future remains open, the more chance Newcastle have.