Chelsea have finally been given some clarity in their pursuit of Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan, with the player confirming he is staying in the Italian capital.
Nainggolan has revealed to well-respected Italian publication La Gazzetta dello Sport that he is definitely rejecting the Blues and earning a decent pay rise to €4million with the Serie A club in the process.
The Belgium international was one of Antonio Conte’s prime targets this summer, but fortunately for Chelsea, their new manager has already started to identify other targets.
Roma’s unwillingness to listen to offers has caused Chelsea to look elsewhere, and it is likely their attention will now turn to France and Leicester talisman N’golo Kante.
Nainggolan would have arguably been a better signing because he is more of a box-to-box midfielder, but he seems content in Italy, where he has played for the last eight years.
Even if he is no longer an option for Conte, the manager will surely be hoping to bring in another player like him before the transfer window ends.
Chelsea lacked solidity and control in midfield last season. Nainggolan would have been able to offer both of those things, but there are plenty like him who may come at a cheaper price.
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