Arsenal are looking at Dries Mertens on a free transfer this summer, according to Di Marzio journalist Francesco Porzio.

Francesco Porzio claims Arsenal are already thinking about the summer. The Di Marzio reporter calls Dries Mertens a ‘possibility’, highlighting that the player’s Napoli contract expires in June.

As a result, Arsenal are free to discuss a transfer with the player now, without getting permission from Napoli or negotiating a fee with them first. Mertens could join for free in the summer, and Arsenal can tie him to a pre-contract agreement this month.

Mertens is up to nine goals and four assists in 22 appearances (15 starts) this season, which is a good record. He scored home and away against Liverpool in the Champions League group stage, and he has four goal contributions in his last six games (three starts).

The forward is an experienced international, with 90 caps for his country. He played in nine of Belgium’s 10 European qualifiers last year, despite the strength of their forward options.

He can play pretty much any forward role, from attacking midfield to centre-forward, second striker, winger, you name it.

That’s the good news. The bad news is that he’s 32 years old, and currently dealing with an adductor injury. He wasn’t incredibly impressive against Arsenal last season, and his form can be a little patchy.

After contributing to 11 goals between the start of the 2018/19 league season and mid-November, Mertens only added one goal and two assists in the next four months.

Then, he rediscovered his form and hit 12 goal contributions in 10 games. It’s a similar story this season, so he isn’t always firing 100% of the time.

When he’s fit and in form, Mertens is an incredibly useful player to have. On a free transfer, it could be a good deal, depending on his wages.

The Mertens rumours actually started last month, so click here if you want to read more about them.