MX23RW : Tuesday, March 19 09:49:33| >> :60:1979:1979:

Radja Nainggolan reveals Manchester United, Chelsea snubs

Inter Milan midfielder Radja Nainggolan reveals that he turned down the chance to join Manchester United and Chelsea before moving to San Siro.

Inter Milan midfielder Radja Nainggolan has revealed that he turned down the chance to join Manchester United and Chelsea in order to stay in Serie A.

The 30-year-old has been linked with a move to the Premier League in recent years, but instead joined Inter from Roma during the summer.

The former Belgium international admitted that he is an admirer of the English game, but insists that he has no regrets about turning down a move to Old Trafford or Stamford Bridge.

"I have had plenty of chances to leave. I am the kind of person who above all needs to live well and be at a club which plays to win, or where I am happy with my life. In Italy, you live really well - I like the culture and way of life here," Nainggolan told ESPN.

"Chelsea offered me more money [while at Roma in 2017] and they are a big club, yes. But I'm interested in waking up in the morning in a place where I feel good and, at the age of 29, winning back all the respect I'd worked 12 years to earn in Italy was not for me. There are lots of components - lots to evaluate. I stayed in Italy, with Roma, because I wanted to end in the best way possible.

"There was Manchester too. There were many things that I was not interested in at all. Of course you are flattered by the interest, but this is how it is. I've come to a club who are looking to build something big, so I think I'm in the right place. I think if you want a spectacle, you need to watch English football.

"In terms of the fans, the stadiums being full, the pitches being perfect - and it seems like the action is in fast-forward. The rhythm is so high, but it's not as tactical as it is in Italy. If you were to ask me which league I'd like to play in, maybe I'd say England for the spectacle, but I've been here for so long now that I'm perfectly happy here and I don't need to change anything."

Nainggolan has made 11 appearances for Inter across all competitions this season, scoring three goals.

ID:342406: cacheID:342406:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3042:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Paul Pogba reacts while in action for Manchester United on September 22, 2018
Read Next:
Inter Milan 'enter Paul Pogba race'
>
Read more about Radja Nainggolan Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014

Subscribe to our newsletter


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!