Fans of Manchester City have been reacting to a post on Twitter, which relays reports of the club’s interest in Napoli forward Dries Mertens.
According to reports in Italian publication Il Mattino (via Area Napoli), Manchester City have joined the race for Mertens, with both Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan also among those reportedly interested in the 33-year-old.
In reaction to the reports, which were relayed by Man City Xtra on Twitter, fans of the club have flocked to have their say on the matter, with many suggesting that the club should be concentrating on younger targets, while others have claimed that they would like to see Mertens join City.
Would you like to see Mertens join City?
Yes
No
#ManCity have ‘come forward’ for Napoli forward Dries Mertens (33), putting themselves in the picture to sign him this summer.
[@mattinodinapoli via @Sport_Witness] pic.twitter.com/ZEpTLSo9ku
— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) May 17, 2020
He’s 33?
— Keelan Quest (@KeelanMCFC) May 17, 2020
Wouldn’t mind having him for a year :3
He’s towards the end of his contract and still pretty good— ??hoenix (@TwelfthBlue_) May 17, 2020
why ???
— Spencer James Tomlinson (@Spencer200003) May 17, 2020
We don’t need a 33 year old
— Agon (@TheOneKun) May 17, 2020
I’d we can get him for free for a year or 2 that’s great
— Jack Jenkins (@JackJen24616904) May 17, 2020
— ?? Start Eric Garcia ? (@mancitymj14) May 17, 2020
Really need someone younger …
— Amrit (@Amrit70425279) May 18, 2020
I’d welcome this. Free transfer and he’s a top class player. Would be good for us for at least a year. Used to working with Kevin and would be good to replace David Silva’s experience in the dressing room.
— Adl0133 (@adl0133) May 17, 2020
What do we think?
Despite his advancing years, Mertens has been in fine form for Napoli so far this season, scoring six goals and providing four assists from just 12 Serie A starts, averaging a WhoScored match rating of 6.93, in addition to a further six goals and one assist in seven Champions League fixtures, averaging a match rating of 7.55.
As such, it would seem that despite his age, Mertens is still capable of performing at the highest level of football that Europe has to offer.