Belgium ace tops list

MAURIZIO SARRI has made Belgium ace Dries Mertens his top target if he becomes the next Chelsea boss.

Sarri wants to succeed where current Blues manager Antonio Conte failed by convincing the board to sign the Napoli star.

Conte put Mertens forward as a transfer target in each of the last two summers.

But the 31-year-old was deemed too old and expensive.

A £25m release clause in his Napoli contract is set to expire next week.

But despite fears the club’s stance will not change,

Sarri (right) has made it clear he wants to take the forward with him after being replaced by

Carlo Ancelotti at Napoli.

Mertens, who netted 22 goals for Napoli last season, scored a superb volley for Belgium in Monday’s 3-0 win over Panama.

Chelsea are closing in on Sarri as a successor to Conte and could secure his services later this week.

Sarri has also been preparing from JEREMY CROSS

himself for a move to Stamford Bridge and believes Mertens would be the perfect man to line up on the right side of a front three, like he does for Belgium.

If the Blues sign the Belgian it could persuade them to let Brazilian ace Willian join Manchester United. Mertens already has lucrative offers from China, while Atletico Madrid, Paris St-Germain and Schalke have also been linked.

Sarri is also keen to include Blues legend Gianfranco Zola in his coaching team. Chelsea’s Eden Hazard has promised there is much more to come from him at the World Cup. He came in for some rough treatment during Belgium’s win against Panama. “I can complain and say I need more protection but I don’t like to do that,” he said.

“I’m used to it. I try to get free-kicks and cards. It’s normal if you are a player who has lots of the ball and likes to dribble.

“I thought my performance was not bad, but, of course, I can do better.”