Chelsea: Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan will consider "important" Blues' offer

Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan says an offer to join Chelsea is very important to him, but insists it is up to the two clubs to decide his fate. Belgium international Nainggolan has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge following reports incoming Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is keen to make the 28-year-old his first major signing.

Having initially denied having held talks with the Premier League club back in March, he recently confirmed in an interview with Belgian magazine Nina last week there has been contact between Chelsea and Roma, but stressed no agreement has been reached.

But while he says he will take Chelsea's offer into consideration, Nainggolan, who is expected to play an important role in Belgium's Euro 2016 campaign this summer, has reiterated his wish to remain in the Italian capital.

"I have always openly declared my will. I like Rome," he told Gazzetta dello Sport. "That is where I see myself. On the other hand, an offer from Chelsea is important; you cannot just avoid taking it into account. I have already stated my preferences, now we must see if the club will do its part."

Nainggolan has spent his 11 years in Italy, playing for Piacenza and Cagliari before he joined Roma in 2014 and admits he would be reluctant to leave his adopted home.

Roma meanwhile remain confident of holding onto the powerful midfielder, but there are doubts over the future of his teammate Miralem Pjanic at the Giallorossi. Pjanic, who is reportedly wanted by Jose Mourinho at Manchester United, has a release clause of £29.6m.

"Nainggolan has a contract and he is staying with us," Roma president James Pallotta said, according to Football Italia. "Pjanic also has a contract and we want him to remain, but if they pay the clause..."