Napoli are reopening talks with Dries Mertens over a contract extension, according to reports, despite links to Arsenal this month.

NAPLES, ITALY - DECEMBER 10: Dries Mertens of SSC Napoli during the UEFA Champions League group E match between SSC Napoli and KRC Genk at Stadio San Paolo on December 10, 2019, in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
NAPLES, ITALY – DECEMBER 10: Dries Mertens of SSC Napoli during the UEFA Champions League group E match between SSC Napoli and KRC Genk at Stadio San Paolo on December 10, 2019, in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Di Marzio report that despite Napoli having a rough season so far and links between Mertens and Arsenal, the Serie A side are reopening talks with him over a contract extension.

Mertens is out of contract in June and can sign a pre-contract agreement with a foreign side now, but signs from Napoli suggest a new deal is still possible.

It was Di Marzio staffer Francesco Porzio who initially confirmed Arsenal’s interest this month. He claimed Arsenal were already thinking about the summer, with Mertens a ‘possibility’. It seems Napoli aren’t giving up on losing the 32-year-old just yet though.

Mertens missed the last few weeks of match action with injury, but he’s having a positive season for the most part. He has nine goals and four assists in 22 appearances, including goals home and away against Liverpool.

With Belgium, he also still features regularly. He played nine of their 10 European qualifiers last year, scoring twice and assisting twice.

Arsenal probably want to see how he recovers from injury though. There’s no point wasting wages on a 32-year-old (33 this summer) who can’t get fit. Even on a free transfer.