Mertens advisor on Galatasaray, Juventus and the Naples farewell

Moving to Bali in mind

After a tough change process, Dries Mertens (35) landed at Galatasaray in the past transfer window. It wasn’t easy, as consultant Stijn Francis revealed in a podcast and gave an insight into the Belgian’s options after the disappointing departure from SSC Napoli: including Juventus and a curious adventure in Bali.

Mertens apparently surprised himself that Napoli did not continue. Francis said in the “MidMid” podcast (quoted via “Nieuwsblad“): “Actually, we realized much too late that the story was coming to an end in Naples. I had this naive assumption: It will be fine. And so does he, because we never pushed for other options. Even in May, June we still told each other wait and see.”

But the Partenopei and striker Mertens didn’t get along anymore, according to Francis, they didn’t ask for much at all, at least in view of the lucrative offer from Juventus Turin that was still on the table at the same time. Naples, however, did not agree to further negotiations. “Take it or leave it,” the agent summed up the attitude of the current Serie A leaders. “That was disappointing and my biggest disappointment was that Dries didn’t have the goodbye he wanted. They took something from him and it still tastes bitter.”

Mertens’ Juventus transfer “very concrete” – Bali move “would have suited him”

In the end, however, there was neither a stay in Naples nor a move to Turin. With the Azzurri, those in the club management who still wanted Mertens were the exception. Mertens rejected the offer that Naples made. Neither coach Luciano Spalletti nor sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli would ever have called to convince Mertens. Francis summed it up: “Then you already know how late it is from a sporting point of view.”

But even a Juventus change did not materialize. The advisor explained that with emotional doubts about Mertens, who was active at Napoli for nine years and is one of the most used players in the club’s history: “It was very concrete and a very interesting transfer,” said Francis, “but you could tell that he was doing it I can’t do it with my heart.” Juventus understood that completely.

But without Napoli and Juventus, the options were dwindling. “One of his plans was to play soccer in Bali for a year,” said Francis, laughing. “That was maybe Plan D rather than Plan B and it was about Bali United, the champions. I had more in mind at the time another year in Serie A, but it would have suited him too. Say goodbye to everyone and then this adventure. That was the plan.”

Mertens after a long process at Galatasaray: “One of the most beautiful clubs”

It was not yet another year in Italy. Mertens went to Galatasaray in Istanbul. “It was a long process, it’s a jungle there,” said Francis, explaining: “It took a while before they offered the amount that was interesting for Dries.” But Gala is “one of the most beautiful clubs to which you can leave if no other top club like Juventus come. The club also suits him well.”

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