Nainggolan reveals why he snubbed ‘many important offers’

Ian Watson

Radja Nainggolan has admitted he has several “important offers” this summer but decided to stay with Roma.

The imposing midfielder was linked with a move to Manchester United and Chelsea in the summer as Jose Mourinho sought to strengthen his midfield options. United went on to sign Nemanja Matic from Chelsea, but Nainggolan, 29, is understood to have been on Mourinho’s short-list.

But the Belgium star is happy in Rome and penned a new four-year deal in July, and is intent on winning something with the Giallorossi.

“My objective? I want to do better than last year, that’s clear. If I stayed at Roma, it’s because I want to win with this team, this shirt, this club,” said Nainggolan to Il Romanista via Football Italia.

“It’d be an indescribable emotion [to win something with Roma], and I hope sooner or later we can celebrate something.

“Why did I choose to stay at Roma? I had many important offers, but for me it’s important to have the right lifestyle with the people I love.

“I’m happy where I am and I had no reason to change teams. It’s not just a matter of feeling good at Roma, it’s also because of all the affection. There’s nothing more beautiful.

“The other day, before the match against Atletico, Carrasco asked me why I stayed here,” added Nainggolan.

“It’s because I have everything here, I told him. The club want to grow, I want to win and Roma are a club with great traditions.

“We’re the capital of Italy, it can’t be that we’ve gone so long without winning something, but I’m sure it’ll happen soon.”