The Radja Nainggolan story began two months ago when it was reported that Chelsea were rumoured to be monitoring the Belgian international.
Even last week, the Serie A midfielder denied reports of him speaking to clubs regarding the possibility of a summer move.
Today, according to a report from Gianluca DiMarzio, a “concrete step forward” was taken to bring Nainggolan to Stamford Bridge next season.
AS Roma sporting director, Walter Sabatini, as well as agent Ramy Abbas, who also represents Mohamed Salah, met with Chelsea in London. The meeting was documented by a picture in Corriere dello Sport.
According to the report by DiMarzio, Nainggolan’s move to Chelsea is in “advanced stages,” and rumoured to be for a fee of €35 million, though it is unclear whether or not that figure includes bonuses.
This potential transfer comes fresh off the hiring of Italian national team manager Antonio Conte on Monday, and would be the Conte’s first move of many expected to be made before next season.
Throughout the entire process of Conte’s hiring, he’s remained focused on managing Italy in Euro 2016 — and it shows a lot about the amount of trust between Conte and the board to try and make a move this early for a player the calibre of Nainggolan.
