ROMA SET TO RETAIN NAINGGOLAN THIS SUMMER

Italian outfit AS Roma have confirmed that they will retain Nainggolan going into the coming summer and the player has also revealed that he will remain at the club, ending the links to Chelsea FC for a summer transfer move.

The player, who represented Belgium at the ongoing Euro 2026 in France before they were knocked out by Wales, confirmed that he would remain at the club after joining them on a permanent basis in the last campaign.

Nainggolan joined Roma on a loan deal at first in 2014 from Cagliari before he got a new deal that will keep him at the club till 2020. He was key to the club’s successes as led by Luciano Spalletti. He scored six crucial goals in 42 games helping the club to the third place in the Serie A. At the Euros, he enjoyed decent play time and was impressive, scoring two goals.

Chelsea hoped to sign him as coach Antonio Conte hopes to strengthen the midfield ahead of the forthcoming season.
There were initial reports that the deal would go through despite his standing five year deal with Roma with Sky reporting that the Sporting Director of the club Walter Sabatini flew to London to discuss the possibility of the player moving to Chelsea. Though the player,28, earlier acknowledged that the London-based side had interest in him, he opted to remain in Italy.

Also, Juan Iturbe has returned to the club and says he is determined to stay at the club. The winger joined for €22m two years back but he couldn’t convince the former coach Rudi Garcia. He spent part of last season on loan in England playing for Bournemouth. The 23-year old is now reported to have made a return to join the Giallorossi pre season.

He told reporters: “I really want to get to know Luciano Spalletti. Sometimes it’s nice to go away and come back with your head right. I had a good experience in England, but I’m back to stay and I want to get to know my new teammates.” The player revealed that he had not yet met the coach but hopes things will work out when he does.