Newcastle are believed to be interested in a shocking move for Belgium and Napoli star Dries Mertens, according to the Chronicle.
The Belgian international was Rafa Benitez’s first signing during his time at Napoli and the Magpies will be hoping that the Spaniard’s relationship with Mertens will be enough to sway him to make a move to the Tyneside in the summer.
Newcastle will be looking to strengthen their squad after recently securing promotion to the Premier League next season with a 4-1 win at home against Preston North End.
The left wing spot is a position that the Tynesiders are looking to strengthen this summer is as it is unknown as to whether or not Chelsea loanee Christian Atsu will sign a permanent deal with the Magpies once his current loan deal ends.
Mertens is believed to be a possible solution to this left-sided issue as the 29-year-old would bring Champions League level quality to the newly-promoted side.
The former PSV winger has had a stunning breakout season for Napoli this season scoring 22 goals and providing five assists in 30 league appearances.
Mertens has primarily operated in the middle of a front three this season making only about five appearances on the left, so he may not produce the same numbers he currently produces at Napoli were he to play on the left at Newcastle.
A player of the calibre of Dries Mertens moving to a newly-promoted club may seem like a long shot, but with a top-class manager, a good relationship with the aforementioned manager, a club with the history and stature of Newcastle, and bags of newly-acquired Premier League TV money, anything is possible.
