---
title: "Leeds: Pete O’Rourke reacts to Dries Mertens transfer interest"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-dries-mertens-transfer-gossip-news/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Daniel Clubbe"
section: "Follow up"
published: "2022-06-13T12:35:16Z"
modified: "2022-06-13T12:35:16Z"
---

# Leeds: Pete O’Rourke reacts to Dries Mertens transfer interest

**Journalist Pete O’Rourke has reacted to reports claiming that [Leeds United](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/) are interested in signing Napoli striker Dries Mertens this summer.**

### The lowdown: Leeds interested in Mertens

This comes after the Whites were linked with an audacious attempt to bring the 35-year-old to Elland Road, according to a report from Belgian outlet [Voetbal Flitsen](https://voetbalflitsen.be/nieuws/7yrgdv/einde-verhaal-mertens-kan-napoli-inruilen-voor-1-van-deze-3-heel-bizarre-premier-league-clubs).

It has been claimed that Leeds, Crystal Palace and mega-rich Newcastle United are all keen on bringing Mertens to the [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/).

The veteran is the Serie A club’s [record goalscorer](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ssc-neapel/topTorschuetzen/verein/6195) with 148 in 397 appearances, and the thought of the experienced Belgian arriving in Yorkshire would certainly excite one intrigued onlooker…

### The latest: O’Rourke on Mertens

Speaking to [GiveMeSport](https://www.givemesport.com/88019915-leeds-246-goal-striker-would-be-massive-statement-signing-at-elland-road), O’Rourke has suggested that bringing the [104-cap](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/dries-mertens/nationalmannschaft/spieler/56416/verein_id/3382) Belgium international to Leeds would be a significant move from the club.

He said: “If they could get somebody like him in, it’d be a massive statement signing from Leeds United. I think it’ll be a hard deal to do, but the opportunity to play in the Premier League is something that maybe appeals to Mertens at this stage of his career.”

[![Latest Leeds United updates!](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cropped-2022-03-10T184055Z_1834933207_UP1EI3A1FW561_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-LEE-AVA-REPORT-1-scaled-1.jpg)](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-updates-4/)

### The verdict: No-brainer

Mertens is perhaps no longer at the peak of his one-time incredible powers, but given his [capabilities](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/dries-mertens/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/56416) of playing as a centre-forward or in the trequartista role, signing him as a [soon-to-be free transfer](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/dries-mertens/profil/spieler/56416) would be a superb piece of business from Victor Orta.

Despite his advancing years, the Belgian was hailed by journalist Josh Bunting for a [‘world class’](https://twitter.com/Buntingfootball/status/1465053070610608129) strike in a stunning 8.50-rated display against Lazio in November ([Sofascore](https://www.sofascore.com/napoli-lazio/Zdbsoeb)), with two goals, two successful dribbles and a 100% passing accuracy on the night.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”398317″\]

Mertens scored [13 times and provided two assists from 37 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/dries-mertens/leistungsdaten/spieler/56416) across all competitions in 2021/22, proof of a continued ability to thrive at the elite level, which would be a huge boost to Jesse Marsch’s ranks as the American seeks quality cover for Patrick Bamford after an [injury-hit campaign](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/patrick-bamford/leistungsdaten/spieler/183334) for the 28-year-old.

***In other news: [Leeds now won’t sign ‘superb’ midfielder despite Phil Hay revealing talks](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/leeds-james-garner-transfer-update-forest-man-utd/)***