Chelsea Transfer News: Latest Steve Mandanda, Radja Nainggolan Rumours

Chelsea have reportedly opened negotiations with Marseille goalkeeper Steve Mandanda, who could replace Asmir Begovic next season, while AS Roma are said to be preparing a new contract for Radja Nainggolan in the hopes the Belgian will stay in the Italian capital.

According to the Guardian's Dominic Fifield, Mandanda and Chelsea have already talked about terms for a possible move. The France international will become a free agent at the end of this month and has already said he's interested in playing in the Premier League, per Fifield.

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The 31-year-old has spent the better part of the last decade with Marseille, winning the Ligue 1 goalkeeper of the year award four times. He's acted as the main backup to Hugo Lloris of Tottenham Hotspur with the national team for years, and while he may not be the most well-known stopper in Europe, he's one of the top options available on this year's transfer market.

Here's a look at some of his highlights:

Mandanda is an excellent technician and a very solid athlete who rarely makes big mistakes. While he's not as athletic as current Chelsea starter Thibaut Courtois, he more than holds his own on the air and is almost as good on his line.

Like Begovic, he would be a fantastic second option to have on the bench in case of injury or suspension. Manager Antonio Conte frequently used top backup Marco Storari in cup ties or less important matches while he coached Juventus, and with Begovic reportedly looking to leave the club, it's not a surprise to see the Blues prioritise the position.

Per Fifield, Begovic grew ever more frustrated with a lack of matches in his first year at the club, a curious development, as the Bosnian must have known Chelsea always viewed him as a backup to Courtois.

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But while Mandanda would be an excellent replacement, one has to wonder whether the Frenchman will be too keen on a similar backup role. The veteran has been a regular starter at Marseille for years and is still very much in his prime.

He'd probably be an automatic starter for the majority of Premier League clubs, and, per Fifield, Everton have expressed an interest in the past. As a free agent, he still has ample time to make a decision, and he likely won't sign any deal until the UEFA Euro 2016 tournament is over.

Meanwhile, Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio (h/t Metro's Max Miller) reported Roma want to sign Nainggolan to a new and improved contract, as the Giallorossi are determined not to lose the star midfielder following the sale of Miralem Pjanic.

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Pjanic's move to Juventus has handed Roma a significant financial boost, and as a result, the price of Nainggolan has likely gone up significantly. The Italians won't want to lose another key midfielder, and while a move still seems likely, things have become much more complicated.

Chelsea have been linked with the Belgium international for some time now, and the Blues have made their interest very clear. Red Devils team-mate Eden Hazard didn't hide his feelings in a recent interview, per HLN's Kristof Terreur:

Nainggolan has spent the bulk of his career in Italy, moving to Roma from Cagliari on a permanent basis last year, and, per Belgian football expert John Chapman, his family is Italian. Those factors all work in favour of Roma, but the allure of playing for Chelsea is difficult to pass up.

Per Di Marzio, Roma are willing to sell other players to come up with the funds to pay the 28-year-old whatever he wants, but even then, Chelsea's wage offer will likely blow Roma's out of the water.

But after the sale of Pjanic, it will take a serious offer to convince Roma to sell, and the Blues may end up looking elsewhere in search of better value.