Chelsea transfer blow as Napoli’s record goalscorer Dries Mertens signs new contract until 2022

CHELSEA'S hopes of bringing Dries Mertens to Stamford Bridge are over after the Napoli forward penned a new deal until 2022.

The 33-year-old was set to become a free agent at the end of the season, leading to speculation that the Blues could finally secure the services of their long-term target.

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Frank Lampard is said to have made 'direct contact' with the Belgium international as he looks to bolster his attack for next campaign.

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But Mertens has ended any talk of him departing the Stadio San Paolo after he put pen to paper and agreed a two-year contract extension.

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis took to social media to announce the news as he posed for a picture alongside the ex-PSV marksman.

Captioning the post, he said: "Happy to be together for a long time. Long live Dries!"

Although Mertens' new deal runs until 2022, Napoli have the option of keeping him at the club for a further year.

Mertens joined Napoli from Dutch side PSV in 2013, and has went on to become a club legend during his seven-year spell.

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In the recent outing against Inter Milan, he overtook Marek Hamsik to become Napoli's all-time top goalscorer with 122 strikes to his name.

He also helped the Partenopei win the Coppa Italia during the 2013/14 season where he scored in the final during the 3-1 win against Fiorentina.

And he could win his second Coppa Italia title later tonight when Napoli face Juventus in the final at the Stadio Olimpico.