Transfer News: Radja Nainggolan signs new four-year deal with AS Roma

Radja Nainggolan has signed a new four-year deal with AS Roma, putting an end to Manchester United and Chelsea’s hopes of signing him this summer.

AS Roma have made an official statement to confirm that Radja Nainggolan has committed his long-term future to the Serie A club by signing a new four-year contract. Manchester United and Chelsea were being heavily linked with the Belgian midfielder over a possible summer move.

Nainggolan has spent his entire senior footballing career in Italy, making his senior debut at Serie B club Placenza before gradually taking an upward curve. The player, though, has truly come into his own after joining AS Roma from Cagliari in 2014.

In the last three years, Nainggolan has established himself as one of the best enforcers in football to become a key figure for both club and country. At the same time, he has also contributed to his team’s cause quite commendably as suggested by a record of 14 goals and 7 assists in 53 appearances for Roma last season.

His exploits have also seen him attract interest from some of the biggest clubs in the world. In particular, two Premier League outfits have been huge admirers of his talents, with Manchester United and Chelsea eyeing the Belgium international for a potential move this summer.

At Old Trafford, Michael Carrick is well into the twilight years of his career and his role has been restricted in the last few seasons in the Manchester United first-team setup. Beyond the veteran English midfielder, Jose Mourinho has Ander Herrera, Paul Pogba, Marouane Fellaini and Andreas Pereira as his options.

While Fellaini is considered to be a squad player, Pereira’s role in Mourinho’s squad is still unclear, leaving the Portuguese manager with just Herrera and Pogba as the regulars. Hence, the Manchester United boss has been keen on adding another midfielder to his squad, as he’s himself confirmed publicly as well recently.

Meanwhile, Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is believed to be eager to land another top midfielder this summer despite already adding Tiemoue Bakayoko to his squad, with Nemanja Matic expected to depart from Stamford Bridge.

The Serb’s exit would leave Conte with N’Golo Kante and Cesc Fabregas, in addition to Bakayoko as his only recognised options. With Chelsea set to compete on four fronts in the forthcoming season, Conte reportedly believes another midfielder will add steel to his squad and help him create a formidable unit.

Initial reports had suggested that Nainggolan was open to leaving Roma this summer, but those rumours have been quashed with the player putting pen to paper on a new deal at Stadio Olimpico.

The 29-year-old has now committed his future to the Giallorossi till June 30, 2021, effectively forcing the Premier League duo to end their interest in him and set their sights elsewhere for a midfield reinforcement this summer.