Former Napoli general manager Pierpaolo Marino has confirmed that Manchester United are closely tracking Dries Mertens, who has been linked with Arsenal.
Mertens was the subject of interest from a number of clubs in the summer transfer window, but Napoli succeeded in convincing him to put pen to paper on a new contract.
The deal though contains a release clause and speculation over a move for Mertens is continuing, with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger mooted as being keen on the Belgium international.
But Marino says Manchester United are keeping close tabs on Mertens and insists the 30-year-old's true value is now being seen due to his positional move.
The former Napoli official told Italian daily Tuttosport: "It turns out that Manchester United are following him very closely.
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"He was an underrated player until he played as an attacker – now that he is a true number 9, he is watched by many big clubs.
"The clause of €28m is likely to be a derisory price, even if he is already 30 years old."
Mertens, who is due to turn 31 in May next year, has been in red hot form for Napoli in the current campaign.
The Belgian has scored nine goals across eleven appearances in all competitions, along with providing five assists for his team-mates.
Since joining Napoli, Mertens has 77 goals in 197 appearances to his name.
