Chelsea are working on a deal to sign Napoli's Dries Mertens before Friday's deadline.Frank Lampard is knowingly in the market to bolster his forward line, with Tammy Abraham currently his only trusted central striking option.Di Marzio journalist Francesco Porzio reports that talks between Chelsea and Napoli are already underway.

Mertens' current contract expires in the summer, which should allow the Blues to get him on the cheap if negotiations go smoothly.

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The 32-year-old is in the twilight years of his career, but he is still one of the most potent goal scorers in European football.

In the Champions League this season alone, the Belgian has scored five times in just six games, including a goal in the 1-1 draw away at Liverpool.

Goals have been slightly harder to come by in Serie A, with Mertens mustering just four in his 16 appearances.

However, Mertens scored 62 goals in his three previous league campaigns for Napoli, which is a mighty impressive return.

Chelsea's young squad are crying out for experience and Mertens should provide just that and more.

Lampard's side have also been linked with PSG's Edinson Cavani, but the Uruguayan's mammoth £360,000-a-week wages have proved to be a huge stumbling block.

Mertens reportedly pockets around £120,000-a-week at Napoli which is low enough to not disrupt the current wage structure at Chelsea.

Journalist Alfredo Pedulla has now responded to the Mertens claims by stating that the Blues have 'no chance' of signing the Belgian.

He claims that Mertens will either extend his current deal with Napoli or join Inter Milan in the summer.