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Manchester United transfer alert: Club chief makes huge £30m striker claim
MANCHESTER UNITED target Dries Mertens will soon sign a new contract with Napoli, according to club chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis.
Dries Mertens has been linked with a move to Manchester United this summer
Manchester United have been linked with a summer move for Dries Mertens who has been struggling to agree a new contract with Napoli.
Reports in Italy claimed Jose Mourinho sent scouts to watch the 30-year-old striker in action against Inter Milan last month.
However, United's hopes of signing the Belgium international have been dashed by Napoli chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis who claims he is set to pen a new deal.
Napoli are confident Dries Mertens will soon sign a new contract
Dries Mertens Player Profile
"I believe we are there and therefore the signature should arrive soon," De Laurentiis told Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport.
"We can say that in a week we will confirm everything we said."
Mertens' current contract with Napoli runs until June 2022 and is understood to have a £30million release clause.
However, his fine performances this season have prompted the Serie A club to offer him an improved deal to keep him in Naples.
The Belgian has flourished this term as a striker, playing down the middle rather than his usual left-wing position.
He has scored 30 goals in 43 appearances in all competitions and provided 13 assists.
Merten's current deal with Napoli runs until June 2022.
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