Everton express interest in Napoli forward Dries Mertens

Ronald Koeman’s Everton are considering a summer move for Napoli’s in-form striker Dries Mertens, according to Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad (via Sport Witness).

The 30-year-old has enjoyed a remarkable season in Naples, netting 31 goals in just 44 games in all competitions, including 25 in Serie A to help the club to third place in the table, and with a very slim chance of winning the title with just two games to play.

Maurizio Sarri’s side are five points behind leaders Juventus with six points to play for, and a key reason for their competitiveness near the top has been the form of Mertens, who is just two goals behind the division’s top-scorer Edin Dzeko.

And Mertens’ stunning campaign has alerted those around England, with Everton now another side reportedly interested in bringing the 30-year-old to the Premier League.

Giants Chelsea and Manchester United have been linked with a move for the Belgian international in the past, and more recently Slaven Bilic’s West Ham have reportedly expressed an interest, but Het Nieuwsblad report that Koeman’s Dutch links, given Mertens played at Utrecht and PSV previously, could stand him in good stead.

The Toffees look resigned to losing star striker Romelu Lukaku this summer, scorer of 24 Premier League goals and directly involved in 30 of their 61 goals this term, so it’s clear that they need serious reinforcements in the attacking department.

And Mertens, who has scored 164 goals in 479 club appearances during his career, could be the ideal replacement.