Frank Lampard has held discussions with Napoli forward Dries Mertens to discuss a possible move to Chelsea, according to reports in Italy.
Lampard was keen to improve his attacking options in the January transfer window but the blues were unable to agree a deal for a new striker.
Mertens, who has scored 12 goals in 29 games for Napoli this campaign, was on Chelsea’s shortlist. And according to Gianluca Di Marzio, Lampard has not given up hope of signing the Belgian.
The report claims that there has been ‘direct contact’ between the blues boss Frank Lampard and Dries Mertens.
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The 32-year-old’s current deal with Napoli is set to expire at the end of June and he has still not reached an agreement over a new contract with the Italian side.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have extended Olivier Giroud’s contract by a year to prevent the Frenchman leaving on a free transfer, according to reports.
The 33-year-old, who is wanted by Inter Milan, is due to become a free agent this summer window when his deal expires.
But reports have now claimed that Chelsea have made their move to keep the striker at the club for another 12 months.
‘Yeah, yeah, yeah. Of course,’ the striker said before the coronavirus lockdown halted the Premier League season.
‘There are a few months to go, games to win and maybe another trophy, and after, you know, I think I have two, three nice seasons in front of me.
‘It’s not the time to talk about contracts and everything but I will take a decision when it comes.’
