Wednesday 22 March 2017 20:01, UK
Belgium and Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan speaks to Sky Sports News HQ reporter Gary Cotterill about the possibility of coming to the Premier League in the summer and interest from Chelsea…
Don't be fooled by the nickname, Radja 'Ninja' Nainggolan is a nice guy.
So nice, he turned down a big pay increase last summer to stay with a project he believes in at Roma.
There's more to Ninja's life than money, even though he has a dollar sign inked on his right leg.
"Give me the sun I will come", he says, when I ask him if he fancies playing in England.
"I'm happy. Why give that away to begin again".
However, you sense there's doubt.
Nainggolan is currently with Belgium preparing for Saturday's World Cup Qualifier against Greece, live on Sky Sports 2 HD.
He's training, eating and relaxing with a host of top Premier League names.
They earn more than him. No question.
But again, if he is tempted to join them in England, it's not because of the money on offer.
"I watch it a lot", he says of the Premier League. "A lot of my team-mates play there. It's the best league in the world.
"We have to make choices in life. I am having a good season. When the window opens we will talk about it again."
When Antonio Conte arrived at Stamford Bridge last summer, Nainggolan's name was near the top of his wish list. How do we know. Radja says so!
"Yes. I talked to him," he said. "They were really interested and wanted me over there. That's all I can say."
Belgium head coach Roberto Martinez is less of a fan it seems.
Nainggolan was one of the first names on Marc Wilmots' team sheet. But, after taking over in the summer, Martinez left him out of the squad.
His failure to be selected sparked a media campaign in Belgium. Now, Nainggolan is back.
Martinez will not confirm why he ignored the versatile midfielder, but the papers here have no doubt.
It's because he smokes. Not only that, he isn't ashamed of it and has no desire to stop.
In his new advanced role, Nainggolan has scored 10 goals in 23 games for Roma.
Ninja is lighting up Serie A. But will he be lighting up the Premier League next season?
You know what they say: There's no smoke without fire.
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