Inter Milan plot to hijack Chelsea move for Dries Mertens

Reports in Italy claim Inter Milan are looking to hijack Chelsea’s move for Dries Mertens as the Premier League close in on the Belgium international.

Mertens is out of contract in the summer and would cost at least £5million.

Calciomercato claims Antonio Conte is preparing a two-year contract worth £7million to bring the Napoli star to the San Siro on a free transfer this summer.

And that would leave Chelsea empty-handed ahead of Friday’s winter transfer window deadline.

Frank Lampard is keen on bringing Mertens, 32, to Stamford Bridge as he looks to secure a top-four finish ahead of Spurs and Manchester United.

Chelsea had been looking at Edinson Cavani before Atletico Madrid made a £15m bid.