Chelsea could miss out on Roma pair Radja Nainggolan and Miralem Pjanic this summer, with Giallorossi director Walter Sabatini suggesting both will stay.
Ahead of Antonio Conte’s arrival at Stamford Bridge this summer, various names currently plying their trade in Serie A have been linked with a move to join him in west London.
As noted by the Metro, both Nainggolan and Pjanic have reportedly been placed on his transfer shortlist, as he eyes somewhat of a mini rebuild at Chelsea following their poor campaign this year.
However, it appears as though Conte could be left disappointed as aside from the fact that both men play an important role for the Giallorossi, it doesn’t appear as though neither want to leave.
“I don’t think so. He [Nainggolan] wants to remain,” Sabatini said in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“Possibly neither will leave. [Leandro] Paredes will return [from his loan spell at Empoli], but we’ll see if he’ll remain.”
Evidently, the intention is to keep both Nainggolan and Pjanic at the club, with others likely to be offloaded in order to put the capital club in a position to be able to dismiss any potential offers.
The Belgian international in particular could be seen as an ideal signing for Conte, as not only does he fit the type of player that the Italy boss likes in his team, but he would also settle in well in the Premier League given his characteristics.
As for Pjanic, given the fact that he has scored 11 goals and provided 11 assists in 39 appearances in all competitions so far this year, his creativity in the final third would be a welcome addition for any club, but he isn’t an asset that Sabatini nor coach Luciano Spalletti will want to lose.
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