Maurizio Sarri tells friends he wants to sign Dries Mertens at Chelsea
Maurizio Sarri will reportedly try and persuade Napoli star Dries Mertens to join him at Chelsea.
Chelsea are edging closer to landing ex-Napoli manager Sarri and the club are drawing up a list of transfer targets, with Antonio Conte expected to leave Stamford Bridge in the coming weeks.
However, Sarri has his own ideas regarding the players he wants to bring in at Chelsea and has identified Mertens as a player who can excel in the Premier League.
According to The Telegraph, Sarri has even told close friends that hes looking to bring the Belgian forward with him to London.
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Mertens has scored 67 goals for Napoli since Sarri took over the reins back in 2015 and could be tempted to follow the manager after Carlo Ancelotti was appointed as Napolis new boss.
Its claimed Conte asked about Mertens in the two most recent summer transfer windows, but Chelsea overlooked the Belgium international as he was too old and expensive.
The club would prefer to move for a younger attacker such as Borussia Dortmunds Christian Pulisic or Manchester Uniteds Anthony Martial.
Sarri, though, is desperate for Mertens to play on the right side of a front three at Stamford Bridge.
Mertens revealed last summer that Chelsea were keen on signing him.
Yes there was interest [from Chelsea], and from other clubs also, but in my head there was never an intention to change clubs, he told Sky Sports.
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This season was really good. I am going to try and be even better next year.
Yes there is a buyout clause. But Im happy at Napoli and I want to stay. I really like Italy.
I am good there and they treat me good.
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