How Dries Mertens can determine his future in Naples …

heavy Victor Osimhen injured (formerly Charleroi) was a welcome gift for Mertens. Our compatriot has already scored four times this month, including Jewel against Lazio (4-0) last weekend. Napoli is currently the only captain in the Italian Serie A.

“I don’t mind if they say I’m not who I used to be anymore,” Ciro’s reaction after the match. “Then it’s up to me to maintain that level and not be satisfied with my goal today. My contract expired? There is a lot of talk about it, but I have always said I hope to stay here for a long time. I can’t say more than that at the moment.”

Read also. Why 2022 could be a successful year for Dries Mertens: first became a dad and then starred with Napoli

Option

Napoli can extend Mertens’ contract for another year if they wish. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, things are looking good at the moment. Mertens’ contract also expired in 2020 and has been extended after all. “Inter wanted to bring him, contracts were already ready, but Mertens wanted to stay. Lunch with the chairman was enough and Mertens signed the extension in June to win the cup on the same day.”

But the problem now is his salary. Mertens currently earns €4.8 million net plus bonuses annually. Napoli can exercise the option and extend his contract until 2023, but after that it will be on the same terms. This is where the shoe pinches. Partenopei wants to cut their salary bill of more than 100 million euros. So Chairman De Laurentiis had made a proposal to captain and club legend Lorenzo Insigne to extend his contract at half his current salary (5 million euros a year).

“They usually provide more money for contract extensions,” said Vincenzo Pesacani, director of Insignes. “So Lorenzo was surprised by this suggestion.”

And it seemed that fate, halving his salary, awaited Mertens. “Only in the spring, when we know if Napoli will move to the Champions League, will Napoli make the choices. The choices will also be determined by the performance of Dries. If the Belgian reaches double figures for the ninth season in a row, there is a good chance that he will book at least a ticket to the ball. Championship”.

“But his salary, which costs the club 9 million euros, may be disproportionate,” the Italians said. “However, Chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis will probably understand that there is no point in swapping out an old hand like Mertens for a new one. That such a person, even at 35, is hard to replace. Finally, find a way to come to terms with it and move on.” Because Mertens is in Naples forever.”