Report: Napoli offer Dries Mertens enormous two-year contract, amid Newcastle talks

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Italian outlet 90Min have claimed that Napoli have tabled a contract offer to keep Dries Mertens away from the clutches of Newcastle United, by looking to tempt the Belgian with a huge £150,000-a-week deal.

Mertens, 32, is one of three players that ESPN have claimed Newcastle’s potential new owners are looking to sign. The report claims that the new-look board have contacted the agents of Mertens, Edinson Cavani and Willian.

Former PSV Eindhoven star Mertens is set to see his contract expire in June but Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis is notorious for his dealings and has made a last-ditch attempt to keep Mertens at the Serie A side.

With Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid and now Newcastle keen, De Laurentiis has tabled a two-year deal to Mertens – worth a whopping €18million plus five bonuses. That equates to £150,000 a week. It remains to be seen if Mertens will accept, or reject.

TBR’s view – Will Newcastle wield transfer power to rival Napoli?

Reports of Newcastle’s new owners suggest that the Toon will even surpass Manchester City in terms of the cash reserves of each Premier League side. However, the new board will know it is about building a side, rather than going all guns blazing.

So, will they match De Laurentiis’ offer and if so, is it worth it? Mertens is obviously a top player, but just 12 goals this season suggests he is past his best. Newcastle’s potential new owners can easily match the offer, but it might not be worth it.