Napoli plays open cards with Mertens. De Laurentiis takes the field, all scenarios | First page
It was a real Christian river in full swing Joints. The sporting director of Napoli yesterday held the press conference for the presentation of the season with Luciano Spalletti and, in no uncertain terms, answered all the market questions also defining the details of the offers presented to the players for the various renewals. Among them could not miss Dries Mertens, one of the biggest question marks of the Napoli to come. To date, the Belgian is no longer a blue player and is on vacation, waiting for something new to happen.
IT DRYS OUT – As it is known Mertens’ contract expired on 30 June, ten days ago. Between the amazement and the rampage of the fans, today the Belgian is no longer a Napoli player. Nevertheless we could go towards a permanence together, as leaked in the last weeks of the championship. First the visit of De Laurentiis to Dries’ home, then that photo with the “Maradona” in the post-match of Napoli-Sassuolo with a caption from the president: “For the moment I have signed a contract to Ciro Romeo”. Smiling, together, Mertens and De Laurentiis with the baby, son of the football player. It seemed to be almost official but it did not happen, since that April 30th it has been seventy-one days and no signature has been placed.
RENEWAL REFUSED – There have been negotiations, starting with the mail sent by the footballer’s group of lawyers. The request for renewal was a total of 5 million (2.4 of wages plus 1.6 on signing, to which bonuses and commissions must be added). Secco no by Napoli. De Laurentiis took the field directly to deal with the stay. The president presented yesterday said the director Giuntoli: “I do not manage the negotiations personally. Mertens has an extraordinary relationship with De Laurentiis, they spoke recently and he was made an offer of almost 5 million gentlemen (2.5 net) which was refused “. Face up cards, therefore, with the ball passing into the hands of Mertens.
CONTRACT OR ADDITIONAL? – The unknowns are growing in this increasingly complicated situation. Naples is waiting for a step forward from Mertens. Which actually did not happen today. Only time will tell if his “Neapolitan character” will prevail over everything. Otherwise what future will it be? On his path there is Lazio with Sarri who would like to find him in his squad, there is Marseille who follows him with attention and other exotic destinations. The surprises never end and President De Laurentiis is also known for these improvised twists. Who knows that a white smoke cannot participate in the weeks due to the permanence of the one who is the scorer in the history of Naples, Dries Ciro Mertens.