Chelsea will likely have to turn their attention elsewhere in the transfer market in their bid for Dries Mertens. The Belgium international looks set to turn his nose up at the Blues and stay at Napoli.
According to the Guardian, Mertens is close to signing a new contract with the Serie A outfit. Frank Lampard is a huge fan of the forward and was hoping to snap him up on a free deal, with his current terms expiring in the summer.
But Mertens is desperate to break the goalscoring record at Napoli - one he currently holds with Marek Hamsik. Inter Milan were also interested in the former Genk star but he has opted to stay put - despite being offered less wages than both clubs.