Chelsea boss Frank Lampard wanted to add a striker to his squad in the January transfer window and had been keen on Napoli striker Dries Mertens, who only has six months remaining on his contract. However, the Blues could also miss out on taking Mertens in the summer on a free, as the player has now reopened discussions with Napoli about a new deal.
According to Italian publication CalcioMercato, Mertens and Napoli rejected approaches during the January window.
The report claims Napoli chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis will now work with Mertens to work on a new deal.
Napoli are expected to offer Mertens a new two-year deal worth £4.2million (€5m) a year.
Mertens has been in great form for Napoli this season and has scored nine goals and provided four assists in 22 appearances in all competitions for the club.
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"We all know that there has been interest and I have sat here in every press conference and said 'if it's right for Olivier, for myself and the club' and he has been impeccable in that period."
Along with Mertens, Chelsea had also been linked with Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani.
The 32-year-old has fallen down the pecking order at the Ligue 1 club following the arrival of Mauro Icardi in Paris from Inter Milan.
However, despite Cavani only having six months remaining on his contract PSG were still demanding £25m.
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The French club rejected an offer of £15m from Atletico Madrid and Chelsea were unable to sort out a deal for the striker.
When asked about Chelsea’s transfer plans, Lampard said: "It's clear that we wanted to bring players in.
"I certainly wanted to bring players in. I think I've made that pretty clear over the last few weeks and it hasn't happened."