Newcastle United lock eyes on Manchester United target Dries Mertens

Dries Mertens could be set for a shock move to Newcastle United this summer, instead of his expected destination of Old Trafford, according to the latest reports from Belgian newspaper Nieuwsblad.

The Napoli forward has been in blistering form this season, bagging 24 goals, but has refused a new deal with the Italian outfit, paving the way for a move to England.

Although Manchester would be favourites to sign Mertens they could be put of slightly by his age – he’s 29 – as Jose Mourinho looks to lay the foundations for the future, especially if Zlatan Ibrahimovic departs this summer as many people expect him to.

Belgian winger Merten’s contract expires in 2018, giving Napoli a limited time frame if they want to get a decent price for him.

If Mourinho does decide to look elsewhere, or even if Mertens believes he’ll be given more game time at St James’ Park, then the scourge of Italian defenders may just make Newcastle his preferred destination.