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Inter Milan ace Radja Nainggolan reveals why he snubbed Chelsea and Manchester United transfer moves

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Radja Nainggolan has been approached by Chelsea and Man Utd (Picture: Getty)

Radja Nainggolan insists he has no regrets about turning down a move to Premier League giants Chelsea and Manchester United.

The Belgium midfielder has been heavily linked with a switch to England for the past three years after impressing for Italian outfit Roma.

Nainggolan, 30, says he was approached with big-money offers from Chelsea and Man United but was keen to stay in Italy. He signed a four-year deal with Inter Milan in the summer.

Speaking to ESPN FC, Naingollan said: I have had plenty of chances to leave.

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I am the kind of person who above all needs to live well and be at a club which plays to win, or where I am happy with my life.

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In Italy, you live really well – I like the culture and way of life here. Chelsea offered me more money [while at Roma in 2017] and they are a big club, yes.

But Im interested in waking up in the morning in a place where I feel good and, at the age of 29, winning back all the respect Id worked 12 years to earn in Italy was not for me.

There are lots of components – lots to evaluate. I stayed in Italy, with Roma, because I wanted to end in the best way possible.

Nainggolan signed a four-year deal with Inter Milan in the summer (Picture: Getty)

There was Manchester too. There were many things that I was not interested in at all. Of course you are flattered by the interest, but this is how it is.

Ive come to a club who are looking to build something big, so I think Im in the right place.

Despite confirming he had rejected offers from English clubs, Naingollan admits the Premier League has a unique appeal to players and fans.

He added: I think if you want a spectacle, you need to watch English football.

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In terms of the fans, the stadiums being full, the pitches being perfect – and it seems like the action is in fast-forward.

The rhythm is so high, but its not as tactical as it is in Italy.

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If you were to ask me which league Id like to play in, maybe Id say England for the spectacle, but Ive been here for so long now that Im perfectly happy here and I dont need to change anything.