Roma midfielder and long term Chelsea target Radja “the ninja” Nainggolan has revealed some interesting details about a potential transfer deal in an interview with Sky Italia quoted here in the Daily Express.
“Was I close to moving to the Premier League? There was contact,†Nainggolan told Sky Italy. “But then I quickly decided to remain.”
The Belgian all but confirmed that it was Chelsea who had made this bid, also discussing manager Antonio Conte’s previous attempts to sign him.
“He already wanted me when he was the Juve manager, but I’d already said I would never leave Roma for Juve. Now he tries to get me to Chelsea.”
Chelsea fans shouldn’t be too despondent though. Nainggolan’s rejection of their overtures was what lead to the signing of N’Golo Kante, who has been one of the best purchases of recent years.
With the January transfer now less than two weeks it’s no surprise to see Chelsea’s links with players warming up again, although it now appears that they have turned their attentions to several of Nainggolan’s colleagues in Serie A. Marcelo Brozovic and Franck Kessie seem to be the names most commonly being associated with Stamford Bridge in recent weeks.
