Napoli star Dries Mertens was strongly linked with a move to Chelsea during the January transfer window, but a move failed to materialise.
It was confirmed that Chelsea held talks with the Belgian, but he didn’t push for a move because of the Napoli record he wanted to break.
Mertens was just two goals away from becoming Napoli’s all-time top goalscorer, and he was keen on setting the record – which is why he didn’t push for a move to Chelsea even though he was interested in a move to London.
The big question remained whether Chelsea will still be interested in the 32-year-old at the end of the season.
Mertens was due to be a free agent at the end of the season, but reports now claim that he has agreed a new two-year contract with Napoli.
According to Football Italia, photographs emerged this afternoon of Mertens sitting outside at lunch with the club patron.
Multiple sources, including Sky Sport Italia expert Gianluca Di Marzio revealed that the meeting was meant to be a discussion, but proved far more fruitful than either party expected.
Mertens is now the joint all-time Napoli goalscorer with 121 goals, on a par with Marek Hamsik, and will now remain at the club.