CHELSEA could be ready to make a second bid for Napoli talisman Dries Mertens – after it emerged he has NOT signed a new deal with the Italians.
Italian newspaper Gazetto dello Sport claims the coronavirus outbreak halted Mertens, who was about to put pen to paper on a new deal at Napoli.
That could pave the way for Blues boss Frank Lampard to step in and make the Belgian his second signing.
Lamps has already wrapped up a £38million deal for Ajax star Hakim Ziyech.
It is shaping up to be a busy summer at Stamford Bridge, with plenty of comings and goings.
Willian is out of contract and is tossing up a move to Spurs or to head abroad.
Pedro, N’Golo Kante and Olivier Giroud are also unwanted men at Chelsea.
Blues have been in for Mertens in the past.
They reportedly made a failed bid in January.
Inter Milan are also after the 32-year-old.
Napoli signed the striker in an £8million deal from PSV Eindhoven in 2013 but he is out of contract this summer and could move to West London on a free transfer.
The Belgian is well aware he could get a huge signing-on fee plus mega wages in what would be his last move after seven years in Italy.
Napoli had reportedly offered him a £6.3m-a-year deal to stay at the club.
And Lampard’s Blues know they can beat that figure now their transfer embargo has been lifted.
