Arsenal failed to sign Napoli striker Dries Mertens in the summer but are still interested in signing the Serie A star at the end of the current campaign, reports The Daily Mirror.
With Alexis Sanchez set to leave Arsenal for nothing when his contract expires at the end of the season, Arsene Wenger is already planning for his replacement next summer.
The Gunners failed to prise Mertens away from Napoli before the start of the season but they are still interested in the Belgium international, particularly as the 30-year-old only has a £26.5m release clause next summer.
Mertens only signed a new four-year deal in May but Napoli were forced to include a small release clause in order to convince their star forward to pledge his long-term future.
Dries Mertens: Has now scored at least two more goals than any other Serie A player in 2017 (23 goals in 24 appearances) #LazioNapoli
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) September 20, 2017
However, that leaves Napoli vulnerable to losing Mertens in the future and £26.5m could prove a snip given the way transfer fees have exploded in recent months.
In 2017, Mertens has scored at least two more goals than any other Serie A player (23 goals in 24 appearances).
