Inter Milan midfielder Radja Nainggolan has revealed that he turned down the chance to join Manchester United and Chelsea in order to stay in Serie A.
The 30-year-old has been linked with a move to the Premier League in recent years, but instead joined Inter from Roma during the summer.
The former Belgium international admitted that he is an admirer of the English game, but insists that he has no regrets about turning down a move to Old Trafford or Stamford Bridge.
"I have had plenty of chances to leave. 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. In Italy, you live really well - I like the culture and way of life here," Nainggolan told ESPN.
"Chelsea offered me more money [while at Roma in 2017] and they are a big club, yes. But I'm 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 I'd 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.
"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. I've come to a club who are looking to build something big, so I think I'm in the right place. I think if you want a spectacle, you need to watch English football.
"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 it's not as tactical as it is in Italy. If you were to ask me which league I'd like to play in, maybe I'd say England for the spectacle, but I've been here for so long now that I'm perfectly happy here and I don't need to change anything."
Nainggolan has made 11 appearances for Inter across all competitions this season, scoring three goals.
Barney Corkhill
