Report: Napoli reject £25m Hammers bid

According to Italian journalist, Raffaele Auriemma West Ham is interested in signing Dries Mertens in the summer but he claims that Napoli has already rejected a £25m bid for the inform forward.

Mertens has enjoyed a sensational campaign with Napoli in 2016/17 despite being deployed in an unfamiliar role as the side’s centre-forward.

His current season has proven to be the most fruitful in his senior career. Mertens has made 42 appearances across all competitions, finding the back of the net 28 times while providing 12 assists as well – thus making nearly one direct contribution per match.

His scoring rate of 101 minutes per goal is also the best in Serie A, and he is vying alongside the best in the Italian top flight to become the Capocannoniere this season. Such an incredible record has prompted some of the best clubs across Europe to turn their attentions towards Mertens including Juventus and Manchester United.

However, whether this story has any real legs beyond general interest is open for debate although Dries Mertens release clause is thought to be set at 30 million Euros which translates to £25m.