Radja Nainggolan has revealed he could have earned more money at Chelsea but opted to snub Antonio Conte in favour of the 'perfect lifestyle' at Roma.
The 29-year-old has spent the last four years at Roma and has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League in the last two seasons.
Conte made Nainggolan a top transfer target soon after becoming Chelsea head coach in the summer of 2016 but the Blues failed to get a deal over the line.
Nainggolan has also been on Manchester United’s radar in the past but any the Belgium international instead opted to sign a new Roma deal in the summer.
The Belgian midfielder, who has courted controversy in the past, has now revealed that he is not prepared to uproot and change his entire life for a new club at this stage of his career.
“I could have gone to Chelsea and many other clubs, but starting something new when you are 28, 29, in a new culture, another lifestyle, that’s not for me,” he told Sport Voetbal Magazine.
“I prefer to stay where I feel good. If money were my only motivation, I would have changed clubs many times and my salary would have grown, but my first priority is to live well.
“You need to live well and be happy playing where you are and I have both of those things here. Everything is perfect: my family is happy in Rome.
“There are lots of good restaurants and it’s a good place to go shopping. When friends or family come to visit, you can send them almost anywhere.
“I’m liked at the club and the supporters are behind me. I’ve given a lot on the field and I get a lot of respect for that.
“As a footballer, that’s one of the best things you can get. I are up in Antwerp, but I became a man in Italy. As things stand, I can see myself living in Rome in later life.”
Since the start of last season, only team-mate Kevin Strootman and Dries Mertens have registered as many accurate through balls as Nainggolan (all 15) in Serie A.
