Nainggolan comfirms Chelsea talks

Radja Nainggolan insisted he was only focused on Belgium’s Euro 2016 campaign, but confessed that Chelsea was in negotiations with Roma over a transfer

The Belgian midfielder is currently on international duty at Euro 2016, as the Red Devils prepare for a First Knockout Round clash against Hungary on Sunday, but admitted that his club side was in talks with Chelsea.

Nainggolan is thought to be a key transfer target for incoming Blues coach Antonio Conte, with the Italian keen to restructure the midfield at Stamford Bridge. The player himself insisted he is not focused on the discussions between the clubs, however.

“Every year for seven seasons I have been linked with a different team,” Nainggolan told Het Nieuwsblad. “We will see what happens, Chelsea and Roma are still talking.

“If I had to stay in Rome I would be happy. I will not talk about it now though, I am only focused on the European Championship.”

The sale of the influential 28-year-old could prove to be a bitter blow for the Giallorossi in the wake of fellow midfielder Miralem Pjanic’s departure to Juventus.

Nainggolan, who scored the only goal in Belgium’s 1-0 win over Sweden on Wednesday, has made 88 league appearances for Roma since joining from Cagliari in 2014, initially on loan.