A leaguefinito. The fairytale marriage between Dries Mertens (35) and ‘his’ Napoli is over. This is stated by chairman Aurelio de Laurentiis. “Mertens refused my last proposal of 2.4 million euros. I wish him the best.” In the meantime, the Red Devil does not let the break get to his heart. Together with his wife Kat – DJ on duty – he went wild at Tomorrowland. “Napoli, love of my life,” she wrote on Instagram.
Followed by a blue heart and a compilation of his best moments.
Napoli waved goodbye to Dries Mertens on social media this afternoon.
After months of negotiations, there will be no new contract for the Red Devil, who last season still scored 13 goals and was deputy top scorer after Victor Osimhen. Attempts to make overtures came to nothing.
There was a proposal for two seasons for 2.5 million euros net per year. Take it or leave it – chairman Aurelio de Laurentiis played it hard.
But the striker refused. So far it has remained quiet in the Mertens camp, De Laurentiis did give his version of the failed negotiations on ‘Radio Kiss Kiss’: “In addition to being a fan, I also have to be an entrepreneur. Everyone asks about Mertens, but it’s all about the money,” said the eccentric Napoli president. “I first offered him 1.8 million euros. Then 2 million. When I made that last proposal of 2.4 million euros, he again refused. Then I told Dries that I wish him the best. For him, for his wife and for his son Ciro.”
VIDEO. Kat and Dries at Tomorrowland
“On the one hand, I thanked him for everything he has given us. With all those extraordinary goals. But on the other hand, I have to buy young players to relaunch the team. Even when we changed the cycle nine years ago and when Mertens arrived, the fans were disappointed. This club always manages to grow important players. Maybe we’re lucky. Or maybe we know how to do it.”
“Napoli, love of my life”
In any case, it is the end of an era for Mertens. The Red Devil arrived in Naples nine years ago. He became a crowd favorite, overtaking legend Diego Maradona and crowned the club’s all-time top scorer – the counter will remain at 148 goals. Mertens loves Naples, Naples loves him. The name of his son, ‘Ciro’, as the ultimate proof of the mutual love. Mertens and his family – Kat, Ciro and dog Juliette – are at home there. “Napoli, love of my life,” Kat writes on Instagram. She played a DJ set at Tomorrowland in a club shirt, Mertens partied in the front row.
It’s time for something else now. He has to look for another club on a free transfer. It is clear that at the age of 35 he still feels like a new adventure. Mertens has been spotted in Leuven in recent days and is working on the Sportkot. In addition, he also enjoys his free time to the fullest – see his party night at Tomorrowland.
Where his future lies is still a mystery. He was previously mentioned at Valencia, Lazio and Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma. In the meantime, he did bring in Paulo Dybala. Antwerp also showed interest, but he would no longer be an option there at the moment. Which club will bring him in?
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