Chelsea transfer news: Blues 'poised to make third bid for Roma's Radja Nainggolan'

Chelsea are poised to make a third bid for Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan. The 28-year-old Belgium international has been strongly linked with a move to the west London club over the last few months and the Blues are reportedly set to make a third offer for his services.

The Italian giants are said to be demanding as much as £31m ($41.4m) for Nainggolan's signature. However, Chelsea have made him one of their top transfer priorities and are intent on reaching an agreement for the player.

Antonio Conte, the incoming Chelsea manager, wants to pair Nainggolan with Leicester City's sought-after midfielder N'Golo Kante, 25, who has a £20m release clause in his contract, according to The Mirror. However, last week, the reported Chelsea target was said to have given his word to his current club that he will snub Chelsea's interest.

Roma coach Luciano Spalletti said: "Radja is a man of his word and he promised me he will stay. I spoke to him and he seemed enthusiastic about continuing to give us his contribution next season."

The Chelsea transfer target is currently away on international duties with Belgium who have reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2016 and there is unlikely to be much progress on a move until his participation in the tournament has ended. In recent days, Nainggolan has refused to give assurances that he would stay at Roma, saying: "I don't know what my future will be, but I can just say that where I am I'm happy."