Chelsea will finally have to admit defeat in their pursuit of Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan, as he looks set to pen a new contract with the Serie A giants.
The Belgian international was a target for Antonio Conte over the summer, but the Premier League giants failed to prise him away from the Italian capital, as noted by The Independent.
While the former Cagliari midfielder has established himself as a crucial part of this Roma side under Luciano Spalletti, he has again reiterated how happy he is in Rome and fully intends on extending his stay at the club in the coming weeks.
“I decided to remain. I’m happy in this team and this thing (the contract renewal) will be solved,” he said,” as noted by Sky Sports.
“Both me and the club we feel good together and soon we will find the agreement for the renewal. I feel I am a leader for the type of football we play.”
Conte had been desperate to take Nainggolan to Stamford Bridge, as he eyed significant reinforcements for his midfield having acquired N’Golo Kante from Leicester City.
Given the Belgian’s all-round game with his tenacity and work ethic off the ball coupled with his quality and technical skill on it, he seemed like the perfect signing for Conte and the Blues but hopes of signing him are now all-but over.
It was a frustrating chase for the former Italy boss, as Chelsea were unable to reach an agreement with Roma, while the player himself sounded content with snubbing a move to England.
Naturally though, speculation has continued to link him with a switch in the future, but signing a new deal will undoubtedly finally put the rumours to bed, with Conte now forced to look elsewhere in the market in January and next summer if he still desires new faces for his midfield.