Man Utd news: Jose Mourinho has scouts on Napoli star Dries Mertens - Pierpaolo Marino

MANCHESTER UNITED have been keeping a close eye on Dries Mertens, according to Napoli’s former sporting director Pierpaolo Marino.

Napoli striker Dries MertensGETTY

Manchester United are interested in Dries Mertens

Mertens stepped up as Napoli’s main man after Gonzalo Higuain joined Juventus.

The 30-year-old has been in exceptional form for the Serie A outfit this term, with eight goals in all competitions.

United appear to be blessed in terms of striking options, with Romelu Lukaku, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic could return to action in the New Year.

Mertens was tracked by Arsenal over the summer, but they were unable to strike a deal.

The Belgian has a £26million release clause, and Marino thinks the low value is intriguing United.

Jose Mourinho: I’m really happy with ‘three fantastic points’

It turns out that United are following him very closely

Pierpaolo Marino

“The €28m clause is likely to be a low price even if he is 30," he told Calcio Mercato.

"It turns out that United are following him very closely."

Mertens signed a new three-year deal back in May.

Arsenal boss Arsene WengerGETTY

Arsene Wenger tried to sign Dries Mertens over the summer

And when asked whether the striker will leave, Napoli chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis said: “Dries will stay with us for a few more years, unless of course he wants to go to China and next year someone pays the release clause that he wanted introduced and I cannot refuse.

“I was not in favour of the release clause after the Gonzalo Higuain mistake, but we learned from it, so there is a release clause on Dries’ contract that is valid only for China.

“Relax, Mr Mertens will only play for Napoli in Italy. If he is to leave, it’ll be for outside of Italy.”

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