Chelsea fail with opening £23m bid for Serie A midfielder

Chelsea have had a £23m opening bid for Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan rejected, according to The Guardian, via Football Italia.

Nainggolan, 28, has been identified as a key signing by incoming Chelsea manager Antonio Conte as Chelsea do their upmost to secure his services before the start of next season.

However, last season’s Premier League champions will reportedly have to shell out at least £32m to secure his services, as the Belgium international still has four years remaining on his current deal with the Giallorossi.

Only Allan (611) has won possession more in the midfield third in the last four Serie A campaigns than Nainggolan (582).

For more stats on Radja Nainggolan, click here to visit his WhoScored player page