Chelsea to make fresh approach for AS Roma midfielder in January — report

According to a report this past weekend in Belgian news outlet Het Nieuwsblad, Chelsea will make a new attempt at getting Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan during the winter transfer window. Nainggolan is reportedly disappointed with the club for not fulfilling their promises in the aftermath of the barrage of rumours linking the Belgian international to a move to Stamford Bridge in the spring and summer.

At the time, 'Ninja' was promised a new contract — even though he had signed a new five-year one just 12 months before (confirmed in Roma's annual financial statement released in October 2016) — but apparently that still hasn't happened.

"Both sides negotiate. I have my word this summer, I believe that the club is working to keep their promise."

-Radja Nainggolan; source: Het Nieuwsblad

While Nainggolan would not come on the cheap, there could be room for him in the squad, as the likes of Mikel, Fàbregas, and Oscar could be looking to leave sooner rather than later.  That said, this is probably nothing more than the agent putting pressure on Roma to get the promised deal done (just like Napoli eventually got the Koulibaly extension done).  Nainggolan, who's a big fish at the club and city he loves, would probably prefer to just stay and get paid.

As Antonio Conte said the last time he was asked about random transfer rumors in his last press conference, "in January, we will see".