Radja Nainggolan says he has no regrets about rejecting a move to Premier League giants Chelsea and Manchester United.
The Belgian midfielder has been heavily linked with a transfer to England for the past three years after impressing for Roma.
Nainggolan says he was approached with big-money offers from Chelsea and United but was interested in staying at Italy. He later signed a four-year deal with Inter Milan in the summer.
Speaking to ESPN FC, Naingollan said: ‘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. 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.’
Despite confirming he had rejected offers from English clubs, Naingollan concedes the Premier League has a unique appeal to players.
He added: ‘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.
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‘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.’
