Manchester United received a welcome boost in their pursuit of AS Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan as the Belgian’s cryptic Instagram message has given the fans every reason to believe that the deal is on. The 29-year-old has been one of the best players for AS Roma last season and the Serie A runner-up are doing everything in their power to hold on to him.
However, their breaching the Financial Fair Play protocols could force them to sell some of their star players this summer and Mohamed Salah’s sale to Liverpool was a big indication of it. Nainggolan has been one of the long-term interests of the Premier League sides with Chelsea being a great admirer. Roma had made it absolutely clear they didn’t want to part ways with him and he remained against all odds.
Now, with the situation changing, the club is left with little alternatives. Nainggolan has seen interest from United this summer and as usual, the Portuguese international has every chance of going out of his way to pay a hefty transfer fee. Italian newspaper Il Tempo has reported that United are willing to offer the Belgium international a decent £130,000-a-week contract, as compared to Roma who has just increased his wages by £17k this season.
Roma would surely be hoping United agree to pay the staggering £50 million that the club has slapped on the player. United suffered massively last season for their lack of spine in the centre of the park with Ander Herrera being the only potential help to Paul Pogba. And the with the likes of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin leaving, the side is yet to plug the gaps.
While defensively Mourinho’s side were brilliant despite the huge injury crisis at the back, it was the attack which would give him nightmares. United could score only 54 goals in 36 games and the failure for that stemmed mostly from the lack of creativity behind the forwards. And that is where Nainggolan could be extremely handy.
Last season for AS Roma, Nainggolan has scored 14 goals managing seven assists in his 53 appearances for the club. What makes him all the more special for Mourinho is his strong immunity towards injuries. In Juan Mata, Carrick, Anthony Martial and more, the boss had to deal with numerous injuries last season.
Although at 175cm, Nainggolan is not the exact kind of midfielder Mourinho is looking for given his fondness for towering beasts usually, the Belgian could definitely make a difference with his supreme strength and persistence from the midfield.
