Cellino rejects Nainggolan transfer talk

Cagliari president Massimo Cellino says midfielder Radja Nainggolan will not join Juventus before the close of the January transfer window.

The Belgium international has been linked with a number of Italy’s top clubs in recent weeks and Juventus director general Beppe Marotta confirmed over the weekend that he was in the process of trying to sign Nainggolan.

However, Cellino rejected any suggestion the 23-year-old would be leaving the Stadio Sant’Elia.

“He is not interested in going anywhere,” Cellino told Sky Sport Italia. “I do not think that he will leave Cagliari.”

“Last year I gave Matri to Marotta because he wanted to leave, but Nainggolan wants to stay and I cannot sell him anyway as we do not have the cover.”

Meanwhile, Cellino was disgusted with his side’s performance in their 3-0 defeat by AC Milan at San Siro on Sunday.

“We did not play; only Milan played,” he said. “I was not pleased by our performance. It was like one of those games at the end of the season when the bags are already packed for holidays.”

“I hope this is not my Cagliari. Today I saw only (Davide) Astori and (Mauricio) Pinilla play well; the others were never in the game.”

“The situation with the transfer market is clearly distracting us and I hope it finishes soon.”