Mertens: 'I rejected Barca and Chelsea'

By Football Italia staff

Dries Mertens admits he rebuffed interest from Barcelona and Chelsea in order to renew his Napoli contract. “I’m very happy here.”

The Belgian had a record-breaking season with 34 goals and 15 assists in 46 competitive games, leading to a bidding war, but penned a new deal with Napoli until June 2020.

“It’s true, Barcelona sought me ought and they were interested, but I’ve always said that I’m happy here,” Mertens told reporters while on international duty with Belgium.

“If I had accepted, I’d have gone to be the reserve for Leo Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez, but I want to play. It would’ve been great, of course, but my priority has always been Italy and Napoli, a city where I’ve always been very happy.

“Many clubs were interested, especially abroad. Chelsea wanted me, but Antonio Conte never called me on the phone.

“I probably would’ve found less playing time in London than I have here at Napoli, so I decided to turn them down.”

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