Man United ready to offer Napoli star Mertens mega-bucks deal

If there’s been one major criticism of Manchester United this season, it’s that they lack that extra bit of firepower up front. But if the latest reports are to be believed, the Red Devils are about to go a long way to addressing that issue.

Italian outlet La Repubblica have reported that the Old Trafford outfit are ready to go all out for Napoli hotshot Dries Mertens.

The Belgian international has fired in a whopping 25 goals in just 34 appearances across Serie A and the Champions League this term.

And such is United’s desire to land the forward, they’re willing to offer Mertens a £4m-per-year deal.

While Zlatan Ibrahimovic has enjoyed a fine year, scoring 26 goals, the rest of the Man United attack has been found wanting.

Juan Mata is the only other play to reach double figures, while the combined total of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Jesse Lingard and Henrikh Mkhitaryan only equals Zlatan’s 26 strikes.

So it’s no surprise Jose Mourinho is eyeing up some added quality this summer.

Valued at £21m by transfermarkt.co.uk, Mertens’ contract in Naples expires at the end of next season, which leaves Napoli in a tricky position.

If they don’t sell their star man this summer, they could well lose him for nothing in 18 months time.

Mertens has been with Gli Azzurri since 2013, after signing in an £8m deal from Dutch giants PSV.

After hitting double figures in his first season in Serie A, Mertens’ goal tally dropped in the next two campaigns, before bursting into life this time around.

With 25 goals and 11 assists from 36 appearances in all competitions, the Belgian is directly contributing to a goal every game this season.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing