Chelsea Transfer News: Latest Radja Nainggolan, Antoine Griezmann Rumours

Chelsea have received a boost in their reported pursuit of AS Roma man Radja Nainggolan, as it’s been suggested the midfielder is ready to move to London.

According to Simon Johnson of the London Evening Standard, Antonio Conte, anticipated to become the next manager at Stamford Bridge, is a big admirer of the Belgium international, who is valued at £35 million by his current employers. Nainggolan is now said to be aware of the interest from the Blues and open to a possible switch.

"He has been talking to friends about the possibility of joining the Blues and has not ruled out a move to the Premier League," adds Johnson, who also suggests that Chelsea will face competition from Conte’s former side Juventus for the player. 

Here is a look at why Nainggolan is considered to be among the most tenacious footballers in Serie A:

Chelsea have lacked the kind of bite he provides in the nucleus of the team. Nemanja Matic hasn’t looked the same player this season, and John Obi Mikel, while a steady operator overall, is limited in his playing style.

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Nainggolan is not. While he’s a footballer who relishes the unglamorous side of the game—making tackles, tracking runners, closing down opponents—he’s also a player who can contribute in other areas. As these figures from WhoScored.com note, he’s a midfielder adept at harrying opponents off the ball:

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Radja Nainggolan: Only 2 players have won possession in the middle third of the pitch more times in the CL this season than Nainggolan (36)

— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) March 8, 2016"

What he can also do, crucially for Chelsea, is carry the ball through phases. This season, the Blues have been without that ability to move through the gears with purpose when they win the ball back in the middle of the park, and whether it’s via crisp passing or his vertical surges, the box-to-box nature of Nainggolan would make him a vital asset.

A fee of £35 million may sound like a lot of money, but the 27-year-old is a player who seems tailor-made for not only Chelsea but also the Premier League. He’d be a superb acquisition for Conte, and the coach will be hoping his former club don’t scupper any hopes of getting this one over the line.

Antoine Griezmann Talks Up Atletico Madrid

Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images

Rumoured Chelsea target Antoine Griezmann has insisted he does not need to leave Atletico Madrid for his ambitions to be matched.

The French international forward has been magnificent for Diego Simeone’s side since signing from Real Sociedad, establishing himself as one of the best forwards in world football. And speaking with AS (h/t Sky Sports), the 25-year-old has insisted he doesn't need to move elsewhere to play for top teams in Europe.

"Leave to go to a big club? I’m good where I am," he said. "Atletico are among the 10 best teams in Europe, maybe even among the top five. Of that I am sure."

PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/Getty Images

As Sky Sports noted, Griezmann has previously been linked with the Blues as well as Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich. These statistics from Squawka Football illustrate why he is so coveted:

It’s tough to argue with the forward’s assessment of his current employers. At the moment, they trail only a formidable Barcelona in La Liga, and they’ll face the Blaugrana in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League in the coming weeks. Griezmann is a striker who is perfect for the Simeone blueprint too.

The team are much further along in their development than Chelsea, who will be without Champions League football next term. Griezmann seems content at Atletico Madrid, and if he were to leave, it’d surely be to a club with better immediate prospects in terms of challenging for the biggest honours. At the moment, that’s not an assurance the Blues can provide.