Photo of Oli Scarff /.
When it comes to signing seasoned 30-somethings, Arsenal has been burned more often than an amnesia-ridden moth caught in Ikea’s lighting section.
Willian’s three-year, £ 220,000 contract feels longer and more expensive by the day. And the less said about Stephan Lichtsteiner and Kim Kallstrom, the better.
However, when it comes to Dries Mertens, Arsenal’s long-suffering fans could be forgiven for wondering if their veterans curse is about to come to an end.
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Mertens may be 34 years old, but the man who surpassed Diego Maradona and Marek Hamsik to become the most prolific player in Napoli’s history remains an elite attacker; an enduring scorer who has achieved double digits in each of his eight seasons at Stadio San Paolo.
In 2016/17, the best of his career, Mertens found the net 34 times in all competitions, establishing himself as one of the most feared forwards in European football. And the Belgian international had Maurizio Sarri to thank for transforming him from an inconsistent winger into a ruthless number nine.
Photo by Francesco Pecoraro /.
And with Voetbal24 reporting that Mertens could be set for a shock switch to the Premier League, with Arsenal and Tottenham showing interest, could the former PSV star meet the manager who took his game to a whole new level in South Africa? Italy?
According to Football Italia, the 62-year-old Sarri is in talks with Arsenal and Tottenham, a return to England on the cards for a man who led Chelsea to a top-four result and Europa League glory in 2019.
Suddenly, the reports linking Mertens to a move to North London make sense.
Is this an early indication that Sarri, a free agent after being fired by Juventus less than 12 months ago, is already drawing up a list of transfer targets should he get the go-ahead to replace José Mourinho or Mikel? Arteta?
The Telegraph reported in June 2018 that Sarri wanted Mertens as his first Chelsea signing. It should come as no surprise, then, that she could return for one of her favorite sons three years later.
Photo of Antonio Balasco / KONTROLAB / LightRocket through.
In other news, ‘he’s a great manager’: £ 15m star hopes his title-winning boss won’t join Tottenham
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