Transfer Rumour: Manchester United set to rival Chelsea in pursuit of AS Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan

Manchester United and Chelsea are reportedly set to indulge in a transfer tussle to sign Radja Nainggolan from AS Roma this summer.

According to a report in Daily Mail, Manchester United and Chelsea are set to go head-to-head in pursuit of yet another transfer target. The two Premier League heavyweights will battle it out to land Radja Nainggolan from AS Roma in this summer’s transfer window.

Nainggolan has spent his entire senior career in Italy, having risen through the ranks at Placenza before making his senior debut for the Serie B side in 2006. The player’s career, though, has truly taken off ever since he made his way to Roma in 2014 after a four-year spell at Cagliari.

In the last three years, Nainggolan’s career has progressed considerably as the Belgian midfielder has not only established himself as a vital cog for both club and country but is also regarded as one of the best midfielders in world football currently.

Radja Nainggolan’s Serie A season by numbers:

1509 passes
90 shots
68 chances created
57 tackles won
11 goals
5 assists

Does it all. ? pic.twitter.com/ai0Y5o6Jv3

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) June 24, 2017

In the 2016/17 season, the player made a staggering 53 appearances in all competitions for Roma, while turning in a handsome contribution of 14 goals and 7 assists. But after spending the last 12 years in Italy, Nainggolan could be set to move away from the country as he is attracting interest from the Premier League.

Manchester United and Chelsea are hot in pursuit of the player, and are considering a summer move for the 29-year-old. The two English giants have already battled each other over a few common transfer targets this summer, and the Belgian powerhouse is the latest player that they’ve set in pursuit of.

At Old Trafford, Jose Mourinho is keen on adding a central midfielder this summer, with Michael Carrick well into the twilight years of his career. The veteran Englishman’s advancing years have prompted the Manchester United boss to delve into the transfer market for an enforcer.

And Nainggolan, with his tough tackling ways as well as the ability to score goals from midfield has emerged as a top target for the Red Devils. Chelsea, though, are set to provide stiff competition to Manchester United for the player.

The Blues are set to complete the signing of Tiemoue Bakayoko from AS Monaco later this week, as per widespread reports. Antonio Conte, though, remains eager to make further reinforcements in midfield, with Nemanja Matic set to depart from Stamford Bridge.

Thus, the Chelsea boss has revisited his interest in Nainggolan after failing to land him last summer. The report suggests that the player is open to leaving Roma in this summer’s transfer window and the club’s sporting director, Monchi could sell him to fund other arrivals.

Hence, a tantalising transfer battle seems to be setting up to secure Nainggolan’s services. The Giallorossi are set to demand £40 million for the player, an amount which should not deter either club in his pursuit.

It now remains to be seen if Manchester United or Chelsea are able to tempt the player to join their club or if Nainggolan ends up remaining at Stadio Olimpico beyond the summer.