Napoli forward Dries Mertens performed U-turn on Chelsea move?

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.