“Conte always wanted to sign me” – Nainggolan opens up on Chelsea bid

“Conte always wanted to sign me” – Nainggolan opens up on Chelsea bid

Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan has confirmed that there is contact between his club and Chelsea, adding it would be difficult to leave the Italian side. Furthermore, he also added that Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has always been keen on signing him.

Nainggolan, 28, has been heavily linked with a move to Chelsea ever since Conte was appointed as the club’s new manager in April.

The no.4 midfielder is currently with his country ahead of the European Championships and both he and Roma have previously stated that he wants to stay with the club for at least another campaign.

However in an interview with magazine Nina, which is owned by Belgian outlet HLN, Nainggolan admitted there was contact.

He also went on to say that Conte is a manager who has always wanted to sign him, but without a contract the transfer won’t happen.

“There has been contact between the clubs. But as long as there’s no agreement, I stay out of it. It would be very difficult to leave Italy, after 11 years.

“Chelsea want to strengthen their squad. With Conte they have a manager who always wanted to sign me. Chelsea are a big club. But as long there’s no contract, there’s no transfer.”

Nainggolan made 35 appearances in Serie A last season and he scored six times as well as picking up 11 yellow cards and one red.

Midfield was one of the areas where Chelsea struggled last season, with Nemanja Matic failing to replicate his form of the 2014-15 campaign and Ramires was sold half-way through the term.

The Blues have no Champions League football to offer next season but they do have the lure of Conte, who won three Serie A titles back-to-back with Juventus.

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