Midfielder Nainggolan to stay at Roma

Regardless of Roma's fate in the forthcoming Champions League play-off tie, Belgian midfielder Radja Nainggolan has clarified that he will remain in the Italian football club.

The 28-year-old has been linked to several English clubs, with Chelsea chief coach Antonio Conte reportedly interested in the midfielder, and speculation surrounding his future would only rise if Roma fail to qualify for the Champions League group stage.

They will discover their playoff opponents in a draw in Nyon on Friday, but Naingglan clarified on Tuesday that his future in the Italian capital will not depend on whether the side remains in Europe's elite competition.

Asked if he would leave the club if Luciano Spalletti's men did not qualify for the Champions League group stages, Nainggolan categorically ruled out that possibility.

"I chose to stay, to remain here. Nothing will change," Nainggolan told Roma's website.

Presently Roma are in the North American pre-season tour. And the former Cagliari player felt that his fitness still needs improvement after the summer break.

"Obviously I can still improve a little physically," he added. "This (pre-season matches) is all preparation, we know that we are working well but we have to continue to give everything to be ready for the matches that count," he said

--IANS

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