• Lampard desperately searches for new strikerChelsea have made an enquiry for Napoli’s Belgium striker Dries Mertens as they consider options for their attack.The 32-year old was expected to leave Napoli in the summer but Chelsea are exploring whether a deal can be done now. Chelsea want a forward amid Tottenham interest in Olivier Giroud and Tammy Abraham playing through injury.Like Tottenham, they have been offered Krzysztof Piatek from AC Milan but they want a loan with obligation to buy at around £28million. Mertens has been prolific at Napoli and has set his sights on finishing the season with a flourish but at 32, a new challenge in the Premier League could prove attractive. Case in point was the 1-0 defeat by Newcastle earlier this month where they failed to make the most of their possession and dominance against a stubborn defence. Mertens is generally more effective playing on the wing or behind a forward rather than an out-and-out striker so may not provide a direct threat to Abraham’s position in the side if he joins.

Source: The Guardian January 29, 2020 13:41 UTC