Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis insists he didn't want Dries Mertens to leave.

De Laurentiis was insulted on the street by local fans, though spoke to one about Mertens and his expired contract.

"I offered him first €1.8m, then raised it by €200,000 and then up to €2.4m and he turned it down…," insisted ADL.

“He wanted to stay for one year."

Mertens did have an option to extend his previous contract at €4.5m-a-season, which the club refused to activate.

Talks, however, are continuing between the two parties.