Dries Mertens was reportedly all set to join Chelsea earlier this year before making a U-turn and deciding to stay at Napoli.
The 33-year-old was heavily linked with a switch to Stamford Bridge in the January window as Frank Lampard went on the search of a new attacker.
According to Het Laatste Nieuws journalist Kristof Terreur, Lampard persuaded Mertens to end his seven-year stay in Naples and make the move to Chelsea.
However, the Belgium international changed his mind and opted to commit his future to the Partenopei, with a contract extension expected to be signed this summer.
Mertens is said to have rejected Chelsea as he did not fancy rebuilding his reputation in another league and battling for first-team football.
The Blues have since moved to bring in Hakim Ziyech from Ajax, while RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner is also on the brink of joining in a £54m deal.
Written by
Daniel Lewis
Daniel Lewis
