Mertens hope for Napoli reunion with Lukaku and De Bruyne

Originally posted on Football Italia | By Susy Campanale | Last updated May 20, 2025 10:10 AM ET

Galatasaray striker Dries Mertens reveals he will definitely return to live in Naples after retirement so he can ‘have dinner with Romelu Lukaku’ and hints at advising Kevin de Bruyne to join Napoli.

The forward just celebrated his 38^th birthday and his wife is about to give birth to a baby girl, joining son Ciro, who was named after the very Neapolitan nickname he received when playing for the Partenopei.

During the title celebrations for Galatasaray, Mertens was very emotional and in floods of tears, suggesting it could be his final game before hanging up his boots.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do,” he told Sporza in Belgium.

“I’ve always said I’m looking forward to quitting football, as there are so many things I still want to do after my playing career is over. I can’t wait.”

Napoli calling for Mertens and family

Mertens and his family were very happy at Napoli, where they stayed from 2013 until 2022, when he was not offered a new contract.

He kept his home on the bay of Naples and confirmed it is his intention to return there after retirement, joking he has even more reason to do so now that his old friend and fellow Belgium international has joined.

“We already talked about it. When I stop football, I want to live in Naples and have lots of dinner parties with Lukaku.”

De Bruyne inspired to join Napoli too

It is no secret that De Bruyne has been approached as a free agent by Napoli after the end of his Manchester City career, so did the Belgian ask Mertens for advice?

“Oh I don’t know,” he grinned in response.

This article first appeared on Football Italia and was syndicated with permission.

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