Chelsea and Inter Milan have both held talks with Napoli forward Dries Mertens, according to Le10 Sport. The French publication claims that discussions “are underway” with the Belgian international who is free to leave at the end of his contract in the summer.

The Blues are believed to be keen on signing another striker, but with moves for RB Leipzig’s Timo Werner and Lyon’s Moussa Dembele not said to be likely this month, a bid for Mertens could well make sense as a short-term solution.

The 32-year-old was one of the players who refused to go on a training camp organised by Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis back in November, and the Italian club’s owner then vowed to sell him in the January transfer window.

Mertens’ availability is also attracting the interest of other teams so Chelsea will want to move quickly if they want to secure the prolific forward’s signature. The Belgian has scored nine goals in 22 appearances for Napoli this season.