Liverpool Transfer News: Dries Mertens Drops Premier League Hint, Latest Rumours

Liverpool have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Napoli winger Dries Mertens after the Belgian admitted he would consider a switch to the Premier League.

According to the Daily Star's Chisanga Malata, Mertens told Dutch-language newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws: "The Premier League would be a good challenge. I have a contract until 2018, but maybe other options will appear then."

The Belgium international racked up 10 goals and 12 assists in all competitions last season and has already netted twice this campaign, bagging a brace against Club Brugge in the Europa League on Thursday.

Here are some of the 28-year-old's highlights:

BeIN Sports' Matteo Bonetti is a big fan of the Napoli man and believes he should be guaranteed a starting berth in Belgium's national team:

For a nation that boasts a wealth of talent in midfield and in the final third such as Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Radja Nainggolan, to name but a few, that is high praise indeed.

WhoScored.com's Cristiano Acconci offers some insight as to why Mertens might receive such praise:

Liverpool have struggled to create or take goalscoring chances this season and have scored just three times in the Premier League.

Though the club made some solid purchases in the summer, the Reds failed to replace the departed Raheem Sterling and have subsequently had to play new striker Danny Ings on the left wing, so a signing like Mertens is sorely needed.

He is also comfortable playing centrally, meaning he could offer an alternative to Roberto Firmino, who is yet to make an impact, or Philippe Coutinho, who still has a tendency to drift in and out of games.

Mertens is a proven, experienced talent who could restore some much-needed width and incisiveness to Liverpool's play in the final third with his incredible pace and dynamism.

However, per Malata, he also admitted: "Last week we talked about the renewal, it's nice to know that the club is counting on you."

Given Mertens' age, if he should renew his contract with Napoli, there will be little point in pursuing him, as he would only represent a short-term acquisition if snapped up at the end of his current contract, let alone an extended one.

If his contract hasn't been renewed come January or next summer, though, Liverpool would be wise to make a move for him.