Napoli striker Dries Mertens has boasted of his £25million release clause in a recent interview.
The Italian media have suggested Arsenal pursued the Belgian international before he signed a new contract back in May, but reports have since revealed that the 30 year old has a clause that will allow him to leave for a bargain price in the summer if he chooses to do so.
Speaking to Belgian publication HLN (translated by the Sun), Mertens confirmed that the clause is included in his contract so he has the freedom to leave Napoli if he wishes:
“Last winter I received an offer from China, I would’ve earned an incredible sum. But Napoli didn’t want me to go, and I wanted to stay. So nothing came of it. But what if an offer like that were to come in again? That’s why I wanted a release clause in my new contract. It’s true £25m isn’t much for a Chinese club, and it’s a decent sum for Napoli too.”
The forward scored 34 goals in all competitions last season, and has continued his rich vein of form this campaign with ten goals in 14 league games so far. The Gunners could be considering him as a replacement for Alexis Sanchez if the Chilean international does leave the Emirates, but they are likely to face stiff competition from major European clubs as well as the Chinese Super League.
