Chelsea boss Frank Lampard speaking to Dries Mertens 'almost every day' over move

Italian football expert Vincenzo Morabito says Mertens remains a key target for Lampard this summer
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Frank Lampard is speaking to Dries Mertens “almost every day” as the Chelsea step up their pursuit of the Belgian striker, according to reports.

Mertens will be out of contract at Napoli – where he is the club’s all-time leading goalscorer – at the end of the season and it is looking increasingly unlikely that he will sign a new deal.

The 32-year-old was linked with a move to Stamford Bridge in January, when Lampard was looking to bring in competition for Tammy Abraham, with Olivier Giroud on the brink of leaving.

Giroud has since fought his way back into the first team picture and will extend his stay by another year, but according to Italian transfer expert Vincenzo Morabito, Mertens is still a key target for the Blues.

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“Mertens had originally said he wanted to stay at Napoli, but then his lawyer started offering him to various international clubs, meaning something changed between the player and the Azzurri,” he told Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli.

“I know this because I was working on the Olivier Giroud issue when he was meant to leave Chelsea in January, with a lucrative contract line up for Mertens.

“Chelsea have now extended Giroud’s contract as a precaution, but they are very interested in Mertens and Lampard is calling him almost every day. I can see Mertens going to Chelsea.”

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