Napoli Striker Dries Mertens Rejected Move to Chinese Super League as Liverpool Show Interest

Napoli and former PSV forward Dries Mertens has turned down the chance to join the Chinese Super League, despite the fact that the wages he would have earned would have 'made his grandchildren rich.'

Speaking to Belgian news outletNieuwsblad, Mertens said"I thought about it for a day but I refused.I can assure you one thing: it was really hard to say 'no' to such a figure because it guarantees wealth for your children and even grandchildren."

Mertens' decision bucks the recent trend of superstar players leaving Europe to play in China.

Belgian team mate Alex Witsel left Zenit St. Petersburg to join Tianjin Quanjian for areported£15.3m annual salarylast month. Chelsea midfielder Oscar also left to join Shanghai SIPG for a fee of £60m.

Mertens does not shy away from the fact that financial incentives are the main reason players are moving to what many deem to be an inferior league.

"Am I curious about what's happening to Witsel? Yes, we've sought information about it, and together with my wife, we've weighed up the pros and cons from testimonies of people who have been there".

"Sometimes you hear players talking about their life choices as a search for a new experience. It's not true, they're driven by money."

29-year-oldMertens is having a phenomenal season, having scored 16 times in 22 games as Napoli have emerged as the primary contenders to Juve's monopolising grip on the Serie A title.

Dries Mertens has scored 14 goals in his last 10 outings for Napoli in all competitions. ï’ª #UCL pic.twitter.com/I2xHq6WMuB

The news from China comes as Mertens has stalled new contract talks with Napoli amid alleged interest from Liverpool.

Reports inCalciomercatosuggest that the winger is looking to cash in on his stellar season. He currently has 18 months left to run on his current deal and Napoli are planning to table an offer that will contain a sizeable buy-out clause.

The Belgian has now refocused on Napoli's push for the Series A title as well as a difficult tie against Real Madrid in the last sixteen of the UEFA Champions League.