Chelsea target Radja Nainggolan ‘agrees new Roma deal’ despite being chased in big-money move by new manager Antonio Conte
Belgium international looks set to keep his word after boss Luciano Spalletti claimed he had 'promised' to remain in Rome
RADJA NAINGGOLAN will reportedly reject interest from Chelsea and instead sign a new contract with Roma.
The Belgian ace has been strongly linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this summer as new Blues boss Antonio Conte eyes reinforcements.
Nainggolan previously admitted he has met the Italian to discuss a potential Premier League switch but was coy over his chances of becoming a Chelsea player.
The midfielder revealed: “I have met with Antonio Conte and I know he wanted me at Juventus.
“He has told me what kind of player I can be for him and I feel he still wants me. However, I am now concentrating on the next few weeks and to see what will happen.
“Thibaut Courtois and Eden Hazard have already asked me to come to Chelsea, but a possible transfer is not in my head.”
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And Roma boss Luciano Spalletti increased the pressure on Nainggolan earlier this week after claiming the 28-year-old had promised to remain in Rome.
Spalletti said: “Radja is a man of his word and he promised me he will stay.
“I spoke to him and he seemed enthusiastic about continuing to give us his contribution next season.”
And it now appears that Nainggolan has indeed kept his word to Spalletti, with Italian daily Corriere dello Sport .
The length of Nainggolan’s fresh deal will reportedly remain until 2020, but the star can expect to see his annual salary rise from £2.4million to £3.1m.
The report adds that Nainggolan has already agreed the terms in principle with Roma’s director of football Walter Sabatini, while his agent Alessandro Beltrami was said to have finalised negotiations on Thursday.